Is it possible to tell the history of a country in music? Jan Paderewski thought so. He loved his native Poland — so much so he eventually became its prime minister. But before that, he composed his massive Symphony in B minor, “Polonia.” The work commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the January Uprising. In 1863 […]
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Paciorkiewicz Violin Concertos Display Fine Craftsmanship
According to Polish composer Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz, “even the best craftsmanship and compositional skills are only a means to achieve the goal of expressing a work.” That philosophy is very much evident in this recording of his music. it features his 1955 Violin Concerto and his 1983 Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra. Paciorkiewicz’s music balances […]
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Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz Violin Concertos in Bracing Performances
According to Polish composer Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz, “even the best craftsmanship and compositional skills are only a means to achieve the goal of expressing a work.” That philosophy is very much evident in this recording of his music. it features his 1955 Violin Concerto and his 1983 Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra. Paciorkiewicz’s music balances […]
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Grazyna Bacewicz Piano Music in Good Hands With Joanna Sochacka
Pianist Joanna Sochacka is a woman on a mission. And that mission is for Grazyna Bacewicz’s compositions to receive the performances they deserve. Bacewicz is already recognized as one of Poland’s musical geniuses. She was both a virtuoso violinist and pianist. Her compositions won numerous awards and critical acclaim. And yet, sixty years after her […]
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Władysław Żeleński Chamber Music – True Polish Treasures
Władysław Żeleński is one of those composers who are musical giants within their own country but are barely known outside it. In 1887 Żeleński founded the Conservatory of Music in Cracow. As its director, he helped shape the face of Polish classical music in the early 20th Century. As a composer, he was a craftsman […]
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Michal Bergson Piano Concerto revived
Michal Bergson’s piano concerto receives its world recording premiere — thanks to a chance discovery. Polish composer and pianist Michal Bergson (1820-1898) spent most of his life abroad, retiring to England. The manuscript for this 1868 concerto was recently discovered in a London antiquarian bookstore. Little is known of the circumstances surrounding the composition, save […]
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Julia Kociuban energizes Tansman and Bacewicz concertos
Julia Kociuban delivers spectacular performances of two 20th Century piano concertos. Alexander Tansman’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Grazyna Bacewicz’s Piano Concerto are, in my opinion, greatly under-appreciated. I came to that conclusion after hearing this recording. Alexander Tansman wrote his Piano Concerto No. 1 while living in Paris. Its neo-classical styling strongly reminded me […]
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Mieczyslaw Weinberg Symphonies 2 and 7 have hidden depths
This release presents two Mieczyslaw Weinberg string symphonies. The Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of Polish Radio, under the direction of Anna Duczmal-Mroz, turns in a set of fine performances. These works, separated by a span of 18 years, are similar only in the choice of ensemble. Weinberg in 1946 was just beginning to blossom under Soviet […]
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Trio of Mikolaj Gorecki works present balanced portrait
The three works in this release each present a different facet of Mikolaj Gorecki’s style. There are similarities: two are for orchestra; two feature a clarinet, horn, and piano trio. But each has its own character. Gorecki’s orchestral work Zan Tontemiquico was inspired by the pre-Columbian poem of Tochihuitzin. It begins “We only come to […]