Topic: Rediscovered today in my collection

[Heather Harrison]

Since we have thread for new purchases and borrowed items, I thought this might also be useful.

Probably most of us have recordings that have sat unplayed for a long time.  This is probably especially true of those of us who have thousands of recordings.  Every now and then, I dig into my collection and look for something that I haven't played in a while.  Every now and then, I rediscover something that I really like but had forgotten about.

This thread is intended for quick descriptions of those rediscoveries.  I'll start it.



This CD came from the Musical Heritage Society many years ago.  I don't know if it is still available there, but Amazon showed two used copies when I searched for the image.  This CD consists of lighter music (divertimenti, dances, etc.) from Poland in the 18th Century.  Most of the music is in the style of the Classic period, but there are a few pieces that date from just before or after.  It is performed by the Warsaw Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Marek Sewen.  Various composers, most of whom are not widely known, are represented.  Included are Maciej Radziwill, Wojciech Zywny, Bartlomiej Pekiel, Jan Dawid Holland, Karol Kazimierz Kurpinski, Feliks Jankiewicz, Johann Adolf Hasse, Ignacy Feliks Dobrzynski, and Michal Kleofas Oginski.

The music is quite enjoyable to listen to, and a good variety is presented.  Although the music is typical of its time, many pieces exhibit a definite Polish character and wouldn't likely be confused with music from other countries.  This music is good enough that I would like to hear more of the music scene in Poland at this time; I wonder how many other recordings are available.

I'm glad I dug this one out and listened to it again.  Perhaps I should pay more attention to my existing collection, rather than buy new items so rapidly that I don't have much time to listen to existing ones.

Heather

[Maciek]

Hi Heather!

Nice of you to mention this disc which I enjoy very much too. I think the music is absolutely charming, and the playing is excellent too! I'd never have guessed anyone on GMG had this!

The Olympia CD was a rerelease of an older Polish LP which has been put on CD once again in 2000 (perhaps there were other times too, I don't know). So I have it under a completely different (and pretty unenticing) cover:

Another great thing about this disc is that it costs about 4.25$ (12 PLN) - I got it almost by accident, and I have the price to thank for that.

The music is quite enjoyable to listen to, and a good variety is presented.  Although the music is typical of its time, many pieces exhibit a definite Polish character and wouldn't likely be confused with music from other countries.  This music is good enough that I would like to hear more of the music scene in Poland at this time; I wonder how many other recordings are available.

I think Olympia released a few more discs of this type - there was a whole series, something like "Early Polish Music", don't remember the name exactly.

Anyway, if you're interested in Polish music from the "Gurnian" period (late 18th c., early 19th c.) there's quite a lot to choose from nowadays. I'd suggest you take a look at the catalogues of the following (Polish) record companies:

PRO MUSICA CAMERATA - this is a label associated with the Warsaw Chamber Opera, and even though they specialize in Polish baroque music they do have some pieces from the classical period in their catalogue. Incidentally, I notice the prices given on the English version of their page are about twice of what you have to pay if you read Polish...

Acte Préalable - they've recorded a lot of the stuff by Franciszek Lessel and Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński, also some Ogiński and Kurpiński. You have to be wary though - they have a strong proclivity towards mediocre performers. Some of their recordings are by first rate ensembles (like the Wilanów Quartet) but others are by some abominable second raters.

DUX is another label perhaps worth exploring. Unfortunately, the only way of exploring their catalog is by browsing this page on the site of their official Polish distributor - the categories here are quite useless and navigation isn't easy.

For music from other periods, Musicon is very good for early music. CD Accord is great for late 19th century and 20th century.

And last of all, if you "do downloads", I'd like to refer you to this post of mine. You'll find links to pieces by Janiewicz and Dobrzynski (and Lessel) there.

[Heather Harrison]

Thanks.  I'll have to look into some of these.  I do have one recording from the Polish Chamber Opera on the Pro Musica Camerata label - an opera by Francesca Caccini



This is a good performance of a very obscure early Baroque opera.

...

I'll have to keep digging through my collection.  I'm sure there is something else interesting there waiting to be rediscovered.

Heather

[Maciek]

This is a good performance of a very obscure early Baroque opera.

Wow, now I feel I simply have to buy it.

[Heather Harrison]

Here is another one that I just rediscovered.  This one has been sitting in my collection for a while, and I forgot that I had it until I searched through a box of CDs this afternoon.



My favorite on this CD is Jiri Antonin Benda's Viola Concerto in F major.  Of course, since I play the viola, I am naturally attracted to viola concertos.  This one is beautiful (especially the slow movement).  I can't believe that I set this CD aside and forgot about it.  (However, given the size of my collection, this is bound to happen.)

Heather