A new message appeared in this thread on the old forum (http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,13205.msg412100.html#msg412100) no less than half an hour ago. Therefore I am reviving it here so we can continue the discussion.
Maciek
[Edit:]
And here's a link to the new Little-known Polish composers 966-1945 (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,355.0.html) thread.
[Edit no. 2:]
Here are links to threads on this new forum dedicated to Polish composers who composed anything after 1945 (I'll be updating this list as new threads appear - let me know through this thread or PM me if I miss anything):
Aleksander Tansman (1897-1986) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,3157.0.html)
Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,389.0.html)
Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,211.0.html)
Andrzej Panufnik (1914-1991) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,388.0.html)
Tadeusz Baird (1928-1981) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2361.0.html)
Augustyn Bloch (1929-2006) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,783.0.html)
Wojciech Kilar (b. 1932) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,218.0.html)
Krzysztof Penderecki (b. 1933) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,240.0.html)
Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki (b. 1933) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,279.0.html)
Marek Stachowski (1936-2004) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,608.0.html)
Krzysztof Meyer (b. 1943) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,334.0.html)
Eugeniusz Knapik (b. 1951) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,610.0.html)
Aleksander Lason (b. 1951) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,784.0.html)
Pawel Szymanski (b. 1954) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,281.0.html)
Hanna Kulenty (b. 1961) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,604.0.html)
Paweł Mykietyn (b. 1971) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,7933.0.html)
I thought my last posts were in the NEW forum! At least I signed up in the NEW one. Where did I go wrong? ???
No idea what's happening, Lis. But you're here now! :D
(So you probably didn't actually know what I meant when I asked you what you were doing there yesterday! :))
Well, I wanted to start a continuation of this thread from the old forum (here's a link (http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,13205.0.html)), because this would be the best place to post today's sad news:
The Polish composer Andrzej Kurylewicz died yesterday (April 13th), at 75. He was a film composer, a jazz composer, and a classical composer. He played the piano, trumpet and trombone. He was a pioneer of jazz in Poland. He composed soundtracks to the very popular Polish TV series Polskie drogi and Lalka, and to the equally popular feature film Nad Niemnem.
Maciek,
I thought I would ask you to mention a few of your favorite pieces by Karol Szymanowski. I like his string qts, his violin concertos and his third and fourth symphonies....Thats basically what I have of his....What am I missing???
Robert
Hi Robert!
I'll restart his thread right away! ;D
Maciek
I feel the following composers would merit a thread of their own, if only there were more recordings available. So instead, I'm putting them here. I wonder if anyone has heard of any of them:
Bogusław (Boguslaw) Schaeffer - apart from being a composer, he is also a successful playwright (not very good though, if you ask me) and musicologist (wrote several history of music textbooks and one on composing).
Eugeniusz Rudnik - one of the best composers writing electronic music in Poland. Some great pieces there, including the once famous (and now forgotten?) Mobile for tape.
Witold Rudziński (Rudzinski) - wrote an important textbook on rhythm in music (two volumes), best known as an opera composer (also a very important Moniuszko scholar).
Roman Palester - his life story is slightly similar to Panufnik's. He left in Poland in 1947. In 1949 his name was removed from all Polish publications, his scores taken out of bookshops and libraries etc. He remains largely forgotten, though many aknowledge the value of his works.
Piotr Perkowski - a legendary figure. Unfortunately only two CDs of his music were ever released (one of his piano works, the other of orchestra works and concertos).
Roman Maciejewski - author of one of the most famous Polish Requiems (a great - 2 CDs - neoromantic piece) and a brilliant mazruka-composer.
Paweł (Pawel) Mykietyn - one of the most popular composers in Poland today. His String Quartet was premiered by the Kronos Quartet last year. A CD of his theatre music is due out later this year. Not a personal favorite but I'm giving credit where credit is due - this is one of the few contemporary composers I know that is known outside classical music circles.
Zygmunt Mycielski - largely forgotten as a composer today (he was never part of the avant-garde), he is well remembered as a musical writer and memoirist - excellent reading. His music isn't bad either.
Stefan Kisielewski - best known (in Poland) as a politician and writer, he always considered himself first and foremost a composer. His neoclassical Piano Concerto remains the only piece in the history of the Warsaw Autumn festival to have been played twice on the first performance (the second time as an encore). Not that it became very popular afterwards... But it is available on an OOP CD.
Włodzimierz Kotoński (Wlodzimierz Kotonski) - spiritual father and teacher to a legion of Polish composers, and a great composer in his own right. He was the first Polish composer of "concrete" music, and author of a textbook on electronic music (newest edition out a year or two ago).
Jerzy Kornowicz - one of the youngest on this list (b. 1959). A postmodernist. Is not performed all that much but I find many of his pieces intriguing to say the least. His piano piece Coma Berenices used to be performed quite often. I love his miniature Small Pavana for violin and piano (1993) - a trifle with an easy melody, yet something fascinating about it.
Zygmunt Krauze - a Polish minimalist (or "unist", as he might call himself). I mentioned him on the old forum when talking about Tomasz Sikorski.
Stanisław (Stanislaw) Krupowicz - co-author (together with Paweł Szymański) of the term "metaconventionalism" (surkonwencjonalizm). Composer and mathematician. Recently wrote an opera.
Jacek Grudzień (Grudzien) - his music is very approachable, not "difficult". And yet it is very well written, and does not lose its initial allure on repeat hearings. Some very energetic writing at times - e.g. his Ad Naam for cello and tape with elements of techno music (a great piece, a bit similar to the first part of Daugherty's Sing Sing).
Henryk Czyż (Czyz) - he was one of the best Polish conductors ever but also a composer. The music is tonal and very well written (beautifully orchestrated).
Zbigniew Bargielski - very consistent composer, whose music never took one of those violent turns that were characteristic of some Polish composers of the 20th century (Kilar, Pendercki, Górecki).
Zbigniew Bujarski - modern, yet almost romantic. I posted his Lumen on the old forum. Even though I don't love all of his pieces, he is one of my favorite Polish contemporary composers - I especially like his writing for chamber orchestras.
Zbigniew Bagiński (Baginski) - his composing is always close to tradition, he never went in the sonoristic direction. He is "modern" nontheless.
Rafał (Rafal) Augustyn - composer and literary scholar. He chooses the most amazing texts for his compositions involving vocals!
There you go.
Maciek
I've added links to other related threads into my initial post. Please let me know if I missed anything or if I miss anything in the future.
Cheers,
Maciek
May I point out the niggling and annoying point that the piece is called Capriccio?
Is that re the superficiality??
Yeah! Yeah..
Well, Capriccio or not, I find it representative... >:(
Is there really a rule that says capriccio=superficial?
To go along with the several "older" pieces I posted on the sister thread yesterday (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,355.msg31444.html#msg31444), here is some stuff for fans of more contemporary music.
First of all, the electronic classics I promised Symphonien quite a while back:
Wlodzimierz Kotonski's Study (1959).
Eugeniusz Rudnik's Mobile (1972) was an international hit in its time.
The third of Poland's top 3 composers for tape was Andrzej Dobrowolski. Here are some of his pieces:
Music for Tape No. 1 (1962)
Passacaglia (1959) for tape
Then, to complement our Harpsichord vs. Piano (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,1300.0.html) thread - here are some modern harpsichord pieces:
Jacek Grudzien Turdus musicus for amplified harpsichord
Stanislaw Krupowicz Tempo 72 for amplified harpsichord and strings
Lidia Zielinska Descendent
Next, a continuation of the several uploads of Tomasz Sikorski's music that I posted on the old GMG. Here are 2 more of his pieces:
Hymnos for piano
An Absent-Mindedly Perceived View from the Window for piano
And to complement that, a piece from the other Polish minimalist, Zygmunt Krauze:
Piece for Orchestra No. 1 (1969)
And to round things off several pieces from 2 very good composers who don't get the attention they deserve.
Wlodzmierz Kotonski Birds. 8 pieces for clarinet, cello and piano
Wlodzmierz Kotonski Symphony No. 1 (1995)
Zygmunt Mycielski the song cycle Round Year to the words by Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz
Hope this will serve as a basis of a wild discussion on this thread... ::)
Cheers,
Maciek
Great selection there! So far listened to the first two; the Kotonski didn't make much of an impression on me but the Rudnik was genius! Or should I say Eugeniusz. :D Not sure if I can describe it in words just yet, definitely needs a few more listens!
By the way, after a quick Google search I found this (http://www.ubu.com/sound/polish.html) little website which contains several of those electronic works and some others as well for those interested. Can't understand all the titles though but can guess at some of them. Do you know these composers/works Maciek?
AMAZING site! :o :o
The only composer I don't know and have never heard of is Wiszniewski (and "?"). Other than that - they are all household names in Polish electronic music - even if one is misspelled (it should be Schaeffer with a double f). Another misspelled name is not a Polish one: François-Bernard Mâche (not Mash!!! ::)) is a French composer. So the piece is really called Nuit Blanche (White Night).
Most of the titles are not in Polish. Only the 3 last ones may require translating:
Ptacy i ludzie = Birds and People
Robak Zdobywca = The Conqueror Worm (that's the way I've seen it translated though personally I'd translate it as Worm the Conqueror)
Granice niczego = The Frontiers of Nothingness
Check out Kotonski's Tierra caliente - a really cool piece, one of my favorites (though almost all of the ones listed are real classics).
Maciek
Since no one is commenting, I guess no one cares (Symphonien excepted, of course 0:)). So I'll add a few comments as a form of encouragement:
Quote from: Maciek on June 04, 2007, 05:46:57 AM
First of all, the electronic classics I promised Symphonien quite a while back:
Wlodzimierz Kotonski's Study (1959).
(The copy from the site Symphonien mentioned is probably higher quality. Look for "Etiuda".)
This is, I think, one of the first electronic pieces recorded in Poland. All of the material consists of one recording of a single cymbal stroke.
Quote
Eugeniusz Rudnik's Mobile (1972) was an international hit in its time.
(Again, the other site may have better sound quality)
Symphonien's recommendation should be enough but let me just add that this is generally considered one of the best electronic pieces composed in Poland to date.
Quote
Dobrowolski
Music for Tape No. 1 (1962)
Passacaglia (1959) for tape
Music for tape and piano (1971)
Frankly, I'm currently going through a "Dobrowolski phase". I now believe this is the best Polish composer ever. I'm fascinated. If anyone wants, I can upload a few more pieces + a better quality Music for tape and piano.
Quote
Jacek Grudzien Turdus musicus for amplified harpsichord
This is perfect for fans of fast, energetic, percussive harpsichord playing.
Quote
Stanislaw Krupowicz Tempo 72 for amplified harpsichord and strings
This is perfect for fans of polystylism, and musical quotations. This is modern but not difficult. A very good effort.
Quote
Lidia Zielinska Descendent
The only lady on the list! For that reason alone you should all listen to this - also it's an excellent, dynamic piece.
Quote
Tomasz Sikorski
Hymnos for piano
An Absent-Mindedly Perceived View from the Window for piano
If you don't like repetitive music, this is the type of minimalism that's cut out for you. Simple, yet magically enchanting. And, frankly, not as boring as some Morton Feldman. *ducks for cover*
QuoteZygmunt Krauze
Piece for Orchestra No. 1 (1969)
This is a very interesting minimalist composer - so much so that he seems to be rewriting the same piece for years now. Still, always enjoyable to listen to (how many contemporary pieces can you say that about? well, I know, quite a lot - but still, you could give this a try).
Quote
Wlodzmierz Kotonski Birds. 8 pieces for clarinet, cello and piano
Wlodzmierz Kotonski Symphony No. 1 (1995)
Well, this might very well be the best (or second best) Symphony to come out of Poland in the 1990s. If you're going to download one piece from this list - download this one. You won't regret it.Birds is also an excellent piece - and I'm sure you won't resist the temptation once you hear the Symphony anyway...
Quote
Zygmunt Mycielski the song cycle Round Year to the words by Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz
Hardly anyone remembers Mycielski nowadays, except as a writer of some fascinating diaries. But his music really was excellent, and not quite as traditional as one might think after reading those diaries. Any fan of contemporary song should hear this.
Believe it or not, some people actually do download many of these files. And at least one of those people later burns them as ordinary audio CDs. So today, with a special dedication to that good friend, here's a program with a running time of approx. 78 minutes. These are all pieces in a much lighter vein, with Malecki at the far end of the spectrum - his suite is a sort of Offenbach meets Johann Strauss meets Gershwin contraption, and very enjoyable.
1.
Zbigniew Turski Small Overture (1956)
2.
Maciej Małecki Offenbachiana. Suite from the ballet A Brazilian in Paris
3.
Aleksander Tansman Bric-a-Brac. Ballet music
4.
Andrzej Kurylewicz 3 Sequences from the film On the Niemen River for piano and orchestra
Maciek
You've heard about him (http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,4119.msg124749.html#msg124749).
You've seen him mentioned numerous times (http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,4119.msg364309.html#msg364309).
You've searched the used record stores to no avail.
You've cried your eyes out in despair.
Well, today...
Your worries are finally over!
Not only will you finally get to hear him - you'll also get to know a piece that was not included on that Olympia CD!
Here it is, just as advertised (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,368.msg16649.html#msg16649)!
Boleslaw Szabelski
Concertino for piano and orchestra (1955)
Józef Stompel, piano
Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra (PRNSO)
Jerzy Salwarowski, conductor
Movements:
1. Allegro molto
2. Lento
3. Molto vivace
File-Size: 27,74 MB
DownloadLink: http://rapidshare.com/files/44442713/Szabelski_B_Concertino__1955__Stompel_PRNSO_Salwarowski.mp3 (http://rapidshare.com/files/44442713/Szabelski_B_Concertino__1955__Stompel_PRNSO_Salwarowski.mp3)
Quote from: Maciek on July 03, 2007, 06:57:59 AM
Believe it or not, some people actually do download many of these files. And at least one of those people later burns them as ordinary audio CDs. So today, with a special dedication to that good friend, here's a program with a running time of approx. 78 minutes. These are all pieces in a much lighter vein, with Malecki at the far end of the spectrum - his suite is a sort of Offenbach meets Johann Strauss meets Gershwin contraption, and very enjoyable.
1.
Zbigniew Turski Small Overture (1956)
PRNSO/Jacek Rogala
DownloadLink: http://rapidshare.com/files/40514814/Turski_Zbigniew_Mala_uwertura__1956_.mp3 (http://rapidshare.com/files/40514814/Turski_Zbigniew_Mala_uwertura__1956_.mp3)
File-Size: 8,51 MB
2.
Maciej Małecki Offenbachiana. Suite from the ballet A Brazilian in Paris
PRNSO/Jarosław Lipke
DownloadLink: http://rapidshare.com/files/40509089/Ma_ecki_Maciej_Offenbachiana___suita_z_baletu_Brazylijczyk_w_Pary_u_WOSPR_Jaros_aw_Lipke.mp3 (http://rapidshare.com/files/40509089/Ma_ecki_Maciej_Offenbachiana___suita_z_baletu_Brazylijczyk_w_Pary_u_WOSPR_Jaros_aw_Lipke.mp3)
File-Size: 33,50 MB
3.
Aleksander Tansman Bric-a-Brac. Ballet music
Sylwia Mierzejewska solo violin, Polish Radio Orchestra/Wojciech Michniewski
DownloadLink: http://rapidshare.com/files/40513966/Tansman_Aleksander_Bric-a-brac_ballet_music_Sylwia_Mierzejewska_solo_skrzypcowe_POR_Wojciech_Michnie (http://rapidshare.com/files/40513966/Tansman_Aleksander_Bric-a-brac_ballet_music_Sylwia_Mierzejewska_solo_skrzypcowe_POR_Wojciech_Michnie)
(this requires adding the ".mp3" extension)
File-Size: 49,84 MB
4.
Andrzej Kurylewicz 3 Sequences from the film On the Niemen River for piano and orchestra
Paweł Perliński, Polish Radio Orchestra in Warsaw/Andrzej Kurylewicz
DownloadLink: http://rapidshare.com/files/40505592/Kurylewicz_Andrzej_Trzy_sekwencje_z_filmu_Nad_Niemnem_na_fortepian_i_orkiestr__Pawe__Perli_ski_OPR_w (http://rapidshare.com/files/40505592/Kurylewicz_Andrzej_Trzy_sekwencje_z_filmu_Nad_Niemnem_na_fortepian_i_orkiestr__Pawe__Perli_ski_OPR_w)
(again, renaming required)
File-Size: 17,39 MB
Maciek
I had missed that somehow :P. I'll make good by downloading the whole lot this week . Are the links still active? (right now I have to wait 50 minutes for the next item in the queue, Meyer's Concerto da camera)
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on July 22, 2007, 04:54:14 PM
Are the links still active?
They're all active, and I'll be posting a few more files with Polish music here and there later today. But don't worry - after that I'll take a break. ;)
Just so no one says I'm giving you a one-sided view - here is another piece by Pawel Mykietyn. This here earned him the first prize in the UNESCO rostrum in 1995 (in the young composers category). I think this is one of his best pieces and enjoy it greatly BUT when I compare this to similar pieces by Szymanski (and you'll easily see that the similarities are striking, especially to Szymanski's quasi una sinfonietta) - well, Mykietyn pales a bit in comparison. Still, for anyone interested in postmodern music and polystylistic composers this piece here is a must!
The title of the piece is 3 for 13, meaning the piece has 3 movements and is written for 13 performers. It is performed by members of the Polish Radio Orchestra conducted by Jacek Rogala.
DownloadLink: http://www.mediafire.com/?jxwxsm2jq4u (http://www.mediafire.com/?jxwxsm2jq4u)
File-Size: 21,81 MB
Just a note on Cwojdziński:
(http://www.polmic.pl/foto/CwojdzinskiAndrzej.jpg)
Andrzej Cwojdziński - born January 25th 1928 in Jaworzno (Poland). He studied conducting and composition with Artur Malawski. He worked as assistant conductor in the Cracow and Łódź Philharmonics, then became musical director of the Lublin Philharmonic. In the years 1964-1979 he was musical director of the Koszalin Philharmonic. In the 50s he taught at an acting school in Cracow, in the 60s - at the Catholic University of Lublin, in the 90s at the Gdańsk Music Academy. He has received several prizes for his activities as a cultural animator.
Another one in a series of 3 new DVDs PWA will be releasing this Saturday (http://www.pwa.gov.pl/en/home/2/news/0/311/index.html) - Kronos Quartet's last year's Cracow concert:
Penderecki's 1st SQ
Pawel Mykietyn's microtonal 2nd SQ (this was the world premiere)
Lutoslawski's SQ
Gorecki's 3rd SQ
Finally PWA (which has released some excellent DVDs of Polish documentaries and animation) has ventured into the realm of music. I'd rather have these on CD but I'll take what they're giving... ;D
And here's the DVD cover:
(http://www.pwa.gov.pl/pl/binary/temp_FHzbUy/resize/206/296/temp_FHzbUy.jpg) (http://www.pwa.gov.pl/en/show/61/news/0/321/index.html)
A few more details if you click the picture - just don't expect a full track listing... ::) (Who designs these web pages, I wonder?)
I've mentioned Wlodzimierz Kotonski numerous times on this thread - probably around 3 out of 5 successfull Polish contemporary composers are his former students. You can find downloads of several of his works posted earlier (search for them here or in the Broadcast Corner (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,42.msg61433/topicseen.html#msg61433)). Here is another piece - his Violin Concerto (mp3@192):
http://www.mediafire.com/?bzl9nju0zu2 (http://www.mediafire.com/?bzl9nju0zu2)
(Krzysztof Bąkowski, violin; Polish Radio Orchestra/Wojciech Michniewski)
If you don't know what to expect, here's a sample:
[mp3=200,20,0,left]http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/8/25/1381505/GMG%20sound%20samples/Kotonski%20VC%20sample.mp3[/mp3]
(http://www.polmic.pl/foto/WieleckiTadeusz1.jpg)
Tadeusz Wielecki has only appeared in this new incarnation of the forum as the double bassist who plays Mykietyn's Capriccio. He is, however, an accomplished composer. I used to be quite critical of his music (check the old forum for details) but it seems I've finally found the right pieces for myself... ;D It now seems to me he is a master at creating great orchestral tapestries with dense, minimalist-like textures which flow one into the other (therefore there's nothing really repetitive about his music). This "flowing" impression seems to me the main characteristic of his music. Here are 3 of his best pieces (IMO):
Tadeusz Wielecki - Id for orchestra (1996)
http://www.mediafire.com/?7no4dj3mbac (http://www.mediafire.com/?7no4dj3mbac)
Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra/Antoni Wit
Here's a sample:
[mp3=200,20,0,left]http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/8/25/1381505/GMG%20sound%20samples/Wielecki%20Tadeusz%20Id%20sample.mp3[/mp3]
Tadeusz Wielecki - Tafle for orchestra (2002)
http://www.mediafire.com/?6x0dbmcmfem (http://www.mediafire.com/?6x0dbmcmfem)
Polish Radio Orchestra/Jose Maria Florencio
Sample:
[mp3=200,20,0,left]http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/8/25/1381505/GMG%20sound%20samples/Wielecki%20Tadeusz%20Tafle%20sample.mp3[/mp3]
Tadeusz Wielecki - Lawice for orchestra (2005)
http://www.mediafire.com/?bgezxz995td (http://www.mediafire.com/?bgezxz995td)
Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra/Lukasz Borowicz
Sample:
[mp3=200,20,0,left]http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/8/25/1381505/GMG%20sound%20samples/Wielecki%20Tadeusz%20Lawice%20sample.mp3[/mp3]
I've left the titles untranslated. Except for Id, which doesn't need a translation, it's very difficult to render them in English adequately. "Tafle" means something like "large expanses of ice, of frozen water" - but then the water does not have to be frozen. It can also mean simply calm, flat surfaces of water (usually large surfaces, like lakes). "Ławice" means "schools", as in "schools of fish" - large groups of fish, with perhaps a suggestion of the shimmering effect of the millions of scales moving through water. At any hand - both titles are very evocative, and all three seem to have a strong spatial meaning (Id - something hidden below the surface, Tafle - a large flat surface, Ławice - a large mass of small, quickly moving shimmering things).
And some more information about the composer himself:
Born in 1954, studied the double bass with Alfred Wieczorek and Andrzej Mysinski, composition with Wlodzimierz Kotonski (see?). In 1986 Witold Lutoslawski gave him a scholarship - this allowed him to further his education as a composer with Isang Yun and Klaus Huber. His most famous piece is probably the Concerto à rebours for violin and orchestra (1998) - it involves an original new playing technique, and was one of the recommended pieces in the UNESCO Rostrum in 1999. He became artistic director of the Warsaw Autumn Festival that same year. In 2004 he was invited to lecture at Darmstadt. He is also a double bass virtuoso of renown (many Polish contemporary composers write solo pieces for him). He has invested much energy into conducting various programs aimed at expanding the artistic education/sensibility of children.
Thanks, Maciek! The Kotonski VC (and Tansman's) as well as the Wielicki ones are on the assembly line !
Don't know how relevant this is, but FWIW, a page from the fabulous Ubuweb (http://www.ubu.com/sound/polish.html)
Thanks, Luke. We've had that link on this thread some time ago but that site is so amazing, it's worth reminding people about it every now and then.
While we're on the subject of Polish electronic music - before the end of the year the Polish Radio is planning to release a 3-CD anthology of electronic music from the Polish Radio Experimental Studio (to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the studio this year) + 3 other CDs of electronic music (actually, the Elletrovoce CD has just been released a short while back):
CD I Experimental Studio of the Polish Radio 1959-1969
Włodzimierz Kotoński - Etiuda na jedno uderzenie w talerz
Włodzimierz Kotoński - Mikrostruktury
Andrzej Dobrowolski - Passacaglia
Andrzej Dobrowolski - Muzyka na taśmę magnetofonową i obój solo
Krzysztof Penderecki - Psalmus 1961
Eugeniusz Rudnik - Collage
Bogusław Schaeffer - Assemblage
Bogusław Schaeffer - E. S. Jazz
CD II Experimental Studio of the Polish Radio 1969-1973
Bohdan Mazurek - Epitafium na śmierć Jana Palacha
Bohdan Mazurek - Sinfonia rustica
Arne Nordheim - Solitaire
Włodzimierz Kotoński - AELA
Andrzej Dobrowolski - Muzyka na taśmę magnetofonową i fortepian solo
Eugeniusz Rudnik - Mobile
Elżbieta Sikora - Podróż druga na taśmę
Bernard Kawka/Eugeniusz Rudnik - Vocals – Wokale
Bohdan Mazurek - Epizody
CD III xperimental Studio of the Polish Radio 1973-1979
Krzysztof Knittel - Punkty / Linie
Bohdan Mazurek - Canti
Eugeniusz Rudnik - Ostinato
Adam Sławiński - Upamiętnienie do słów Wisławy Szymborskiej
Denis Eberhard - Ikona
Bogusław Schäffer - ??? (no title given)
Paweł Szymański - La Folia
ElettroVoce Duo (Cezary Duchnowski - prepared piano/Agata Zubel - voice)
Cezary Duchnowski Monada 3 (got some sort of accolade at the UNESCO Rostrum, I think 3 years ago)
Agata Zubel Opowiadania
Cezary Duchnowski Trawy rozczochrane
Agata Zubel Parlando
Cezary Duchnowski/Agata Zubel Szymborskie Improwizacje
Cezary Duchnowski Monada 2
REJ 2005 (compositions inspired by the oeuvre Mikołaj Rej on the 500th anniversary of his birth)
Sławomir Kupczak Figliki
Magdalena Długosz Nemini Molestus
Wojciech Kałamarz Modlitwa zawierzenia
Cezary Duchnowski Apoftegmata
Katarzyna Taborowska A toć była cała sprawa
Lidia Zielińska Obiadki w Rejowcu
Cellotronicum - pieces for cello and tape (Andrzej Bauer - cello)
Michał Talma-Sutt - Cellotronicum
Jacek Grudzień - Ad Naan
Marcin Wierzbicki - Interferencje retroaktywne
Sławomir Kupczak - Anafora V
Paweł Mykietyn - Kartka z albumu
Stanisław Krupowicz - Partita
Cezary Duchnowski - Broda
More details (in Polish) here (http://www.polskieradio.pl/dwojka/polecamy/artykul16160,4.html).
I've heard some of the pieces from the REJ CD, and must say I was not impressed. OTOH, I've deliberately underlined the Cellotronicum CD - not only does it feature Andrzej Bauer, probably the best cellist in Poland today, but it has him play some truly excellent music. Including a piece that is a perfect contender in the "kick butt" category (in fact, a definite winner on Polish soil): Grudzien's Ad Naan.
Oh, and something I forgot earlier. A photo I found on the PWA site from the DVD of the Kronos Quartet concert mentioned above:
(http://www.pwa.gov.pl/pl/binary/temp_fXKBG6/)
Admirers of both little- and better-known Polish composers will certainly be happy to learn that DUX, one of the leading Polish labels, have opened a new site (http://www.dux.pl/)! This is a great improvement in comparison to the what the old one offered (which, frankly, amounted to nothing: a couple of phone numbers and an e-mail address, with absolutely no information about actual CDs, recordings etc.). Of especial value on the new site is a subpage devoted to prizes awarded to DUX CDs (everything from Diapason, Gramophone and Midem awards to our local Fryderyks): http://www.dux.pl/nagrody/ (http://www.dux.pl/nagrody/).
Just so you don't think everything is perfect: the site is in Polish only!!!!!! $:) :o :o :o :o :o >:( >:( >:( >:(
Hopefully it's just a passing thing... ???
Maciek,
Know any works by Jan Radzynski?
Nope, never heard of him before. 0:)
The only pieces of Radzynski that I know are his String Quartet and his Sonata for Cello and Piano, but I do know he has written a cello concerto that I am not familiar with and recently a Serenade for Strings
oh damn! i've discovered this board too late, almost all rapidshare links are down.
and the links on that polish radio website are down too. what a bummer.
could you please re-up ANY kotonski, maciek? i've got the violin concerto and it's amazing.
I'll try to re-upload the symphony (one of his best pieces, IMO) when I finally have access to my old computer - but that may take another month or two... :-\
For the time being, here's some stuff that I've posted (somewhere else?) before:
The Compass Rose (http://www.mediafire.com/?5dmgzntpdjk) (probably his most famous orchestral piece)
Zatarty ślad (http://www.mediafire.com/?0tbuyje9lbx)
Sirocco (http://www.mediafire.com/?9lemb6dvyeo)
I'm not sure of the sound quality, don't remember anymore... ;D
Also, check out the link (http://www.ubu.com/sound/polish.html) Symphonien posted. You'll find one of Kotonski's earlier pieces there, and a very important one for Polish music (the first Polish electronic piece ever).
It's really about time someone released a CD of Kotonski's music... ::)
great thread. i too have been trying to find kotonski's works but it's pretty hard =/
If you're really, really desperate, you could also try searching out the work of the classic Polish animator Jan Lenica - Kotonski wrote the music to some of his stuff.
Bryce, you'll be happy to hear that Eugeniusz Rudnik is getting a lot of attention here these days! 8) He has been composing electronic music for 50 years now (he is 75) and to commemorate the anniversary the Polish Radio will be releasing a 4 CD (!) overview of his work at the end of next month.
wow, this thread is dizzying!!
there are 2 excellent cds by the DAFO string quartet on the DUX label featuring
Baird
Penderecki (no2)
Knapik
Zielinski
Meyer (no8)
Bacewicz (no4)
Lukaszewski
Bujarski
Lason
Gorecki (no1)
being particularly taken by the first movement of Zielinski's qrt.
also, is there an audio link to Bacewicz's 4th qrt? i've NEVER heard it. i love that old Olympia cd of concertante works.
thanks
Hi, snyprrr! I'm not sure if I understand. If you know those DUX discs then you should know the Bacewicz 4th...? It's on one of them.
Anyway, given your interest in string quartets, and assuming that you already know all of the Polish 20th century classics (Szymanowski, Penderecki, Lutosławski, Górecki), if you want to expand, I'd recommend two slightly less known composers who are probably just as good:
Krzysztof Meyer - perhaps the greatest Polish master of the genre, and of chamber music in general (I'm currently mad about his Sonata for cello and piano)
Paweł Szymański - one of the most creative and imaginative composers around.
And something you should really hear is Witold Szalonek's 1+1+1+1.
And there's of course Grażyna Bacewicz, whom you mention, sometimes referred to as "the missing link" between Szymanowski and Lutosławski.
Aleksander Tansman might be worth checking out as well, though, frankly, I have mixed feelings about some of his earlier sqs.
Also, if you want an overview of the Polish 20th century quartet repertoire, take a look at the program of a famous all-day string quartet marathon from Warsaw Autumn 2006:
Part I (http://www.warsaw-autumn.art.pl/06/programme.php?mod=1&id=3)
Part II (http://www.warsaw-autumn.art.pl/06/programme.php?mod=1&id=4)
Hardly any of these are available on CD, though.
[EDIT: some of these composers have their own threads on GMG, see the first post of this thread for links]
Oh, and if you don't want to limit yourself to string quartets, Tim Johnson's The Rambler once posted Bogusław Schaeffer's 2 + 2, I think the link still works - see here (http://johnsonsrambler.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/welcome-and-pull-up-a-schaeffer/).
i only have one of the DUX cds.
i also have a very mysterious "polski nagriana"/wilanow qrt. cd (1994?) with szy,lut,pend....plus meyer's 3rd (so i have 3 and 8). the rest of meyer's qrts seem to be available. i can't tell if this cd is really from 1994, or just a re-issue....anyone know? also, the seating arrangement seems to change for each qrt on the cd....pretty cool.
the bacewicz no4 just has eluded my pocketbook all these years...i do look forward to hearing it one day though.
also i mentioned the lithuanian str qrt cd by vilnius str qrt (in the vilnius thread). i find the same "grittyness" in a lot of 1970s eastern european music, i guess the "greyness" of eastern bloc life seeping into the music.
tansman's 9 (?) qrts are available on etcetera. i hear he has a more "french" disposition.
BEST OVERALL BACEWICZ CD: OLYMPIA 311 with the concertante works (viola cto, 2piano cto.....) AS LONG AS YOU PRETEND THE OLYMPIA 312 (T BAIRD) IS ATTACHED TO IT!!
that was an awesome warsaw autumn recital list! hey...it's the dafo!
Frankly, I'm not that much of a Dafo fan (I have both those discs you mentioned) 0:) but that concert would definitely never happen without the Silesians (http://www.silesian-quartet.art.pl/) - possibly the best string quartet in this part of Europe! 8) (Well, OK, competition is a bit tough because of Wilanów... ;D)
I have that Polskie Nagrania CD too. Some of the material may have been released earlier on vinyl, I'm not sure. But that was definitely the first (and last :-\) time it was put on compact disc.
A couple of the Bacewicz quartets were also released on Olympia. Plus there's a complete set recorded by the Amar Corde Quartet, on Acte Préalable. I haven't got it yet (it's been on my list for a couple of years now) - I'm suspicious of the ensemble, which I've never heard live. I see they've recently started to record the complete Karol Rathaus quartets - so perhaps I should be more trusting. ;D (It's just that I've had very mixed experience with Acte Préalable issues. 0:))
Noticed this mouth-watering new release on the DUX page today:
(http://www.dux.pl/upload/obrazki/okladki/0688.jpg) (http://www.dux.pl/catalogue/results/details/?pid=398)
DUX 0688 Szymon Krzeszowiec playing solo violin music by Krzysztof Meyer, Stanisław Moryto, Paweł Szymański, Krzysztof Penderecki, Tadeusz Wielecki, Eugeniusz Knapik, Witold Szalonek (my favorite composers in red ;D).
[Krzeszowiec is the current first violin of the Silesian Quartet - in 2001 he replaced Marek Moś, who embarked on a conducting career. Frankly, I feel that was a loss for both the quartet (it hasn't been quite the same) and Moś, who isn't such a great conductor. But that is not saying anything about Krzeszowiec as a solo violinist - I've never heard him in that role.]
While I'm at it, I might as well post a few other interesting new DUX discs. I do not have any of them but I suppose few (if any) people track these things, so maybe this will be useful in some way:
DUX 0679 ELŻBIETA SIKORA SOLO & ELECTRONICS
Gośka Isphording - harpsichord, Wilhem Latchoumia - piano, Emmanuelle Ophele - flute, David Simpson - cello
Elżbieta Sikora Orpheus Head II for flute & tape; Suite for cello & tape; Suite II for harpsichord & tape; Reflets Irisés for piano & electro-acoustic sounds
(http://www.dux.pl/upload/obrazki/okladki/0679.jpg) (http://www.dux.pl/catalogue/results/details/?pid=391)
Apart from Grażyna Bacewicz, Elżbieta Sikora must be the most important Polish 20th century female composer (wonderful achievements of Hanna Kulenty, Marta Ptaszyńska, Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil, Agata Zubel and Krystyna Moszumańska-Nazar notwithstanding). She also has the unquestionable special merit of being the author of the first contemporary piece I ever heard at a concert (Orpheus' Head 2). ;D
DUX 0677 Little Big Music
Silesian Chamber Orchestra/Massimiliano Caldi
Benjamin Britten Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Gustaw Holst St Paul’s Suite, Witold Lutosławski 5 Folk Melodies, Wojciech Kilar Orawa
(http://www.dux.pl/upload/obrazki/okladki/0677.jpg) (http://www.dux.pl/catalogue/results/details/?pid=392)
At first blush this may make the impression of a plate of warmed up leftovers. But take a closer look. AFAIK this is only the second time Lutoslawski's Folk Melodies for strings have been recorded, and this has to be the only recording in print.
DUX 0672 Apolinary Szeluto (1884-1966)
Camerata Vistula , Konstanty Andrzej Kulka - violin, Andrzej Tatarski - piano, Andrzej Wróbel - cello
Sonata in F major for cello and piano Op. 9, Sonata in D major for violin and piano Op. 73, String Quartet in E flat major Op. 72
(http://www.dux.pl/upload/obrazki/okladki/0672.jpg) (http://www.dux.pl/catalogue/results/details/?pid=363)
Those interested in the short-lived "Young Poland" movement will probably know that Karol Szymanowski was one of the founders, and perhaps also that Mieczyslaw Karlowicz was a sort of patron. But do you know the names of the other 3 members? Well, why would you? There's almost nothing of theirs on disc! They were: Grzegorz Fitelberg, Ludomir Rozycki and, yes, Apolinary Szeluto. AFAIK, there exists a recording of exactly one piece by Fitelberg (which is alright, the guy was really a conductor in later years). There are also quite a few (though not nearly enough) Rozycki pieces available on CD - including a very recent Hyperion release containing his string quartet. But until this disc came out there was absolutely nothing by Szeluto available so hooray!
DUX 0651 Kazimierz Serocki, Tadeusz Baird, Jan Krenz: Piano Concertos
Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Swoboda and Tadeusz Wojciechowski, Adam Wodnicki - piano
(http://www.dux.pl/upload/obrazki/okladki/0651.jpg) (http://www.dux.pl/catalogue/results/details/?pid=350)
Have I posted this one before? If so - I apologize. It contains three exceptionally good neo-classical (neo-romantic?) piano concertos by composers who are usually associated with the avant-garde (they were founders of the "Grupa 49" which started the Warsaw Autumn festival; Krenz, of course, is primarily thought of as a conductor - quite unjustly, to be frank).
DUX 0639 Aleksander Tansman
Bartosz Cajler - violin, Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra in Bialystok/Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski
Cinq Pieces pour Violon avec accompagnement de Piano ou de petit orchestre, Violin Concerto (1937), Suite Baroque pour orchestre de chambre (1958)
(http://www.dux.pl/upload/obrazki/okladki/0639.jpg) (http://www.dux.pl/catalogue/results/details/?pid=377)
The Olympia recording of Tanman's Violin Concerto is long out of print so this is a very welcome disc!
For those living in the UK: this year the Sounds New (http://www.soundsnew.org.uk/) festival in Canterbury (which starts in less than a week) will be devoted to Polish contemporary music ("Polish Connections").