A CENTURY OF POLISH
PIANO MINIATURES

BACEWICZ • H. GÓRECKI • M. GÓRECKI • MYKIETYN
PADEREWSKI • A. & R. PANUFNIK • SZYMANOWSKI


ANNA SZAŁUCKA

‘A century of Polish Piano Miniatures' summarizes years of work and research just as Poland comes to its 100th anniversary of independence. My goal was to explore and present to the audience the real jewels of Polish piano literature from the post-Chopin era. Every piece covers a historically significant moment taking the listener on a fascinating journey through wars, conflicts and victories. Leaving Poland myself over five years ago it was very important for me to see how the new generation of composers take over both inside and (mostly) outside the country. It was also crucial for me to include works written by female composers. I am pleased to share this music with a wider international audience.’ – Anna Szałucka

Listen to an excerpt from BACEWICZ, G.: Piano Sonata No. 2

About this Recording

‘A Century of Polish Piano Miniatures’ takes us on a fascinating journey through a golden era in Polish music, from the great patriot Paderewski via Szymanowski, Bacewicz and Górecki, to present-day composers. This essential collection coincides with Poland’s centenary of independence in 2018 with each work representing significant moments in the country’s musical and political history. It pays tribute to the bravery of composers who stood up for freedom in art and culture during times of great political turmoil.

Grażyna Bacewicz
Grażyna Bacewicz
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki
Mikołaj Górecki
Mikołaj Górecki
Paweł Mykietyn
Paweł Mykietyn
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Andrzej Panufnik
Andrzej Panufnik
Roxanna Panufnik
Roxanna Panufnik
Karol Szymanowski
Karol Szymanowski
IGNACY JAN PADEREWSKI (1860–1941)
6 HUMORESQUES DE CONCERT, OP. 14 (1887)
BOOK I, ‘À L’ANTIQUE’ (10:44)
1
I. Menuet (04:12)
2
II. Sarabande (03:43)
3
III. Caprice (02:42)
KAROL SZYMANOWSKI (1882–1937)
20 MAZURKAS, OP. 50 (1924–26)
BOOK I (10:26)
4
No. 1. Sostenuto. Molto rubato (02:28)
5
No. 2. Allegramente. Poco vivace (02:36)
6
No. 3. Moderato (02:52)
7
No. 4. Allegramente, risoluto (02:28)
GRAŻYNA BACEWICZ (1909–1969)
PIANO SONATA NO. 2 (1953) (16:47)
8
1. Maestoso (06:13)
9
2. Largo (06:49)
10
3. Toccata (03:36)
HENRYK MIKOŁAJ GÓRECKI (1933–2010)
11
INTERMEZZO (1990) (02:37)
PAWEŁ MYKIETYN (b. 1971)
4 PRELUDIA (1992) (11:22)
12
No. 1. quarter note = ca 80 (02:51)
13
No. 2. quarter note = ca 48 (01:43)
14
No. 3. quarter note = ca 114 (03:02)
15
No. 4. Prestissimo possibile, quarter note = ca 100 (03:37)
MIKOŁAJ GÓRECKI (b. 1971)
16
PIANO SONATA (2010)* (07:12)
ANDRZEJ PANUFNIK (1914–1991) /
ROXANNA PANUFNIK (b. 1968)
17
MODLITWA (‘PRAYER’) (1990/2014) (05:37)
* WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING

TOTAL TIME: 65:36

Anna Szałucka

ANNA SZAŁUCKA

Anna Szałucka is an exciting multi-award-winning Polish pianist recognised for her exceptional musicality and intense virtuosity. She completed the bachelor’s degree at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk studying with Waldemar Wojtal, and continued her studies at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Vienna in the piano class of Stefan Vladar and later on at the Royal Academy of Music in London under the supervision of Ian Fountain. An active concert pianist, she has cooperated with such institutions as The Fryderyk Chopin Institute, the Wiener Beethoven Gesellschaft, and the Arthur Rubinstein International Music Foundation. In Poland, Anna Szałucka was awarded the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Prize as well as the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Prize for exceptional achievements in music.

℗ & © 2018 HNH International Ltd.