Following up on Thal's mention of a piano concerto by Ludomir Rozycki in another thread, I'm curious what the prospects are for getting some commercial recordings of his work. So far, I've heard his 1st piano concerto and 3 symphonic poems. I've not yet run across a performance of his 2nd piano concerto. Has there been one?
Like Thal, I think the 1st piano concerto is quite good, deserving of a commercial release. Other than the op. 1, which is a typical student work, his symphonic poems are also deserving of attention. A couple of those have appeared on CD, but others have not. And I remember seeing a string quartet by him on a CD that I've not heard.
Is there a list somewhere of his works? I'm curious whether he wrote a violin concerto or cello concerto, or any symphonies.
His Violin Concerto is being broadcast by Polish Radio 2 this Sunday morning, as it happens. A late work, according to the work list here (http://www.culture.pl/en/culture/artykuly/os_rozycki_ludomir), it is unfinished.
For me, the Rozycki Piano Concerto was love at first sight or should i say first hear. I was completely engrossed with it and that has not diminshed after several hearings. My normal taste is for the virtuoso display type of concerto, and this is nothing of the sort, but it really left me in one of my "why the hell has this not been recorded" moods.
Anyway, I sent the score to good ole Mr Spring and we will see what he thinks. If it were my choice, I would pair it with the Zelenski and I wager it would fly off the shelves.
This Polish radio is heaven on Earth. The Pachulski Fantaisie and Maliszewski Concerto are also wonderful pieces, the latter of which is a gigantic late romantic work. There is much that needs to be done to bring this music into the regular repetoire.
Concertingly
Thal
I'm a real sucker for Rozycki's lush late Romanticism and sheer lyrical beauty. The 2nd PC is also an attractive work. There is a possibility that Acte Prealable may record these in the autumn with Valentina Seferinova as soloist. But nothing definite yet. They would be an obvious choice (coupled with the Ballade, which was recorded by Olympia) for Hyperion's RPC series.
I do so agree that the Maliszewski PC needs recording. I sent the 2-piano score to Mike Spring about 5 years ago, and he seemed impressed at the time. Perhaps I'll remind him about it. Maliszewski also wrote three rather good symphonies.
Pachulski, Zelenski, Zarzycki - all deserve an airing.
Unfortunately, I'm away this Sunday, but if anybody is intending to record Rozycki's VC, I'd love to hear it some time.
Quote from: Amphissa on Thursday 14 January 2010, 16:37
Is there a list somewhere of his works? I'm curious whether he wrote a violin concerto or cello concerto, or any symphonies.
Yes there is a list on this very informative site:
http://www.culture.pl/en/culture/artykuly/os_rozycki_ludomir (http://www.culture.pl/en/culture/artykuly/os_rozycki_ludomir)
I recommend to check out the profiles of Fitelberg, Szeluto and others. Enough unsung and interesting music here to keep the recording industry busy for some time.. As long as we keep on buying the CDs of course!
Morten
I still listen to the Rozycki PC on a weekly basis and expect to do so until such time that something else I find superior takes my fancy.
Polish PC's have always given me much enjoyment. It would appear to me they excel with this genre.
I have spent a week playing through the Dobrzyński PC, which i found to be a Chopinesque early romantic gem. One wonders what masterpieces lay neglected in some dusty Polish archives.
Back to the piano.
Thal
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Thursday 14 January 2010, 20:34
There is a possibility that Acte Prealable may record these in the autumn with Valentina Seferinova as soloist. But nothing definite yet.
Any update on this anyone? Gareth?
Valya still wants to do them but it didn't work out this autumn. Instead, she's playing Dorothy Howell's beautiful PC at an all English orchestral concert at The Cadogan hall in London on Thursday 11th November (Armistice Day). I urge everyone on this forum who can to come. Holbrooke's Variations on "The Girl I Left Behind Me", Lilian Elkington's "Out of the Mist" and Elgar's "In the South" are among the other treats.
Quote from: M. Henriksen on Monday 04 October 2010, 23:03
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Thursday 14 January 2010, 20:34
There is a possibility that Acte Prealable may record these in the autumn with Valentina Seferinova as soloist. But nothing definite yet.
Any update on this anyone? Gareth?
Ssssh!
A little birdie flew by - and I distinctly heard it say:-
"Now that Valentina's Autumn 2010 schedule & programme is complete - Acte Prealable are v. interested to get her to commit (& actively encouraging her) to further recordings for them!"
It seems their principal interest is not in a 'Noskowski 2' - but to take on a full CD of Rozycki!
The birdie was also overheard squawking something about Piano Concerto No.2!!??
Ssssh! It's a secret!
Nice birdie!
From what I've heard of Rozycki (an old Olympia disc with some of his orchestral music) new recordings of his works will be very welcome. Apart from the two Piano Concertos, there are several orchestral works awaiting revival.
Morten
The only music I know is the D Minor String Quartet, which accompanies the Royal Quartet performances of the two Szymanowski quartets on a Hyperion disc. The latter two quartets are stunningly performed, and I guess the Royal performs the Rozycki to the same standard (I can't think how it could be better given I'm unfamiliar with Rozycki's musical language and idiom). If we're going to get some of the orchestral works....then splendid! Hope that naughty little bird has got it right!
Peter
Let's hope so! That old Olympia disc I mentioned is still available here and there and gives us a fairly good impression of his musical idiom, the works represented were composed between 1900 and the early 1920's.
I would say Rozycki is a traditional late-romantic composer with glimpses of impressionism in more mature works. Apparently he also used Polish folk tunes in his works, but I'm too unfamiliar with Polish music to tell.
The Olympia disc is an AAD-recording with harsh sound, especially in the orchestral climaxes where I have to turn the volume down on my stereo. I believe a modern recording would do Rozycki's fine orchestral writing more justice.
On American amazon, there's also a complete recording of his ballet "Pan Twardowski" and a complete live-recording from 1978 of his opera "Eros and Psyche". I haven't heard any of those.
Morten
Several Rozycki works have been rebroadcast (from Polish Radio, I'm guessing) over BBC Radio 3's Through the Night program, including I recall a symphonic poem Mona Lisa Gioconda and some others. Good stuff... There's also a cello sonata. (He was part of Young Poland - Mloda Polska along with Szymanowski, Fitelberg and Szeluto (who I've seen mentioned in these forums.))
I'm new to this site - came across it while looking up recordings of Rozycki's music :). I have two Polish recordings of "Pan Twardowski" and "Eros i Psyche", which I bought in Kraków last summer. Both are superb and I can thoroughly recommend them. I believe that they are the same ones as are available on Amazon
Quote from: AnoneeMouse on Friday 07 January 2011, 20:18
Quote from: M. Henriksen on Monday 04 October 2010, 23:03
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Thursday 14 January 2010, 20:34
There is a possibility that Acte Prealable may record these in the autumn with Valentina Seferinova as soloist. But nothing definite yet.
Any update on this anyone? Gareth?
Ssssh!
A little birdie flew by - and I distinctly heard it say:-
"Now that Valentina's Autumn 2010 schedule & programme is complete - Acte Prealable are v. interested to get her to commit (& actively encouraging her) to further recordings for them!"
It seems their principal interest is not in a 'Noskowski 2' - but to take on a full CD of Rozycki!
The birdie was also overheard squawking something about Piano Concerto No.2!!??
Ssssh! It's a secret!
It's seems the birdie I overheard might not have got it quite right!!?? (Perhaps the birdie's feet were too cold sitting on the overhead telephone wire!!)
See www.valentinaseferinova.com and click latest news.
Although intriguingly Rozycki not mentioned by name - it does seem she is scheduled to be in Poland.
Also - no mention of Concerto(es).
I speculate that the cost of orchestra hire might be a reason for Acte Prealable not pursuing any orchestral works at the moment.
I've got Rozycki's 1st PC (which I too love) as well as Zarzycki's, and have a bunch of Rozycki's orchestral works. As for Maliszewski, Pachulski, and Zelenski, I'm at a loss. I'd love to hear them. Why hasn't the Polish National Orchestra recorded their performances and sold the CDs? It would at least be better than nothing. I'd buy them.
In the meanwhile, is there a source for these?
As far as I am aware, Maliszewski, Pachulski (Fantasia) & Zelenski PC's only exist as radio broadcasts, along with Dobrzynski and Nowowiejski. Why they have not been commercially recorded I do not know. The Zelenski is a belter of a romantic concerto and would grace any label.
If anyone plans to do them, would they please also consider the Sowinski PC the two by Henryk Bobinski and best of all the Borowski (althought he was born in UK).
In fact, any composer ending in "ski". Seems to be a recipe for success.
Thal
Dobrzynski's piano concerto has assuredly been recorded commercially, I remember the Fanfare review. the compact disc may be NLA though. (wasn't a Zelenski chamber work on an Olympia CD back when Olympia was still a going concern?...)
(Dobrzynski and Chopin concertos, Jerzy Sterczyński, piano ; New Polish Philharmonic (Filharmonii Rzeszowskiej ; Adam Natanek, conducting. Selene Records, 1994.)
Thanks for that echiss1, I will try to find it.
It sits comfortably with the Chopin concerti.
Thal
The Pachulski Fantaise has been recorded by Lidia Kozubek on Polski Nagrania (coupled with Hummel op85 and Czarnecki Affetuoso). I didn't get around to ordering it (just lazy - didn't want to wade through the Polish ordering process) but it has just been made available for download on emusic. There are two more (solo) albums by miss Kozubek on emusic - neoromantic Polish piano and Moniuszko piano which I just downloaded because it includes 7 transcriptions of his songs by Henryk Melcer - the only available recordings (except for the spinner girl of which I now have 4 versions).
Rob
Finally I ordered the two Rozycki CD's in Poland, see here (http://merlin.pl/rozycki_klasyczna/browse/search/4,11381,1.html?phrase=rozycki&place=4+simple&carrier=&offer=O&category=11381&title=&person=&firm=&date=&isbn=&sort=rank&x=48&y=11). They should be delivered within a week.
These AP CD's are rather cheap (€8.37 = £7.37) but the shipment costs are €8 (at least to the Netherlands).
I will post my comments in due course.
I would second that wish on the Bobinski Concertos. Although i did not know he wrote a second, and i would not expect much... after playing through the 1st.
Tony
I've listened to both Rozycki CDs a few times.
The first disc (APO217) couples the Ballade for Piano and Orchestra, op. 18 (recorded in 1990) and the Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, op. 43 (recorded in 1984). Remarkable that both works (TT 42'11'') haven't been released on CD earlier. In the informative booklet notes we see a picture of the young pianist Krystyna Makowska-Lawrynowicz (1984, I suppose) and a recent picture together with her grandson.
The Ballade (1904) is a splendid, vivid work in a late Romantic style, with a stunning entrance of the piano. A very pleasant listen is his PC1 (1918). Lush melodies, brilliant passages, in short most attractive. The imposing first movement is followed by a lyrical andante con moto, and ends with a original and elegant allegro giocoso. Definitely a concerto most of our members will like.
The second disc (AP219) features music for violin. But how much Rozycki is it? The VC op. 70 (1944) has two movements and is the most important work. The orchestral parts existed in piano score only and were never completed for full orchestra. However, a few years ago Zygmunt Rychert edited the piano score. The result is marvellous. It's an utterly lyrical concerto, full of passion.
Violinist Ewelina Nowicka has made four transcriptions of Rozycki's ballet Pan Twardowski, op. 45, for violin and piano. Just like the four other short pieces for violin and piano opp. 5 & 30 on this CD they sound lovely, in fact even a bit dreamy and impressionistic. Strangely enough these pieces remind me of Lekeu's music, but less complicated.
Both discs are warmly recommended. In the notes another release is already announced (APO253), Rozycki's Piano Quintet in C minor, op. 35 and the Rhapsody for violin, cello and piano, op. 33. Something to look forward to!
QuoteAs far as I am aware, Maliszewski, Pachulski (Fantasia) & Zelenski PC's only exist as radio broadcasts, along with Dobrzynski and Nowowiejski.
I have the 2-piano score of the Maliszewski PC and would love to hear it. Does anybody have a recording of the broadcast?
The Acte Préalable CD (AP0219) containing violin music by Rozycki features an absolutely stunning performance of the VC from 1944 (edited and orchestrated by Zygmunt Rychert). This is gorgeous stuff - an exquisitely melodic Andante followed by a purposeful, but still tuneful Allegro deciso, i.e. just two movements taking about 24 minutes - a perfect coupling on CD for a work such as the Korngold VC, I'd have thought.
Of course, the whole thing could have been written in, say, 1910 - but who cares? If you haven't added this CD to your collection, it's time to write to Santa...
I am really glad to read such appraisal of the music by Rozycki :-)
I also like it also very much.
Some time ago in the Dowloads Disussions/Polish Symphonic I mentioned about recording of his pf cto no. 1 with Wladyslaw Kedra and also on LP with the second (final) movement of his cto no. 2.
Why has not been most of his music released commercially? That is the question!
Ballada was released on old LP (of 60s?) and then reissued on the Olymia CD. Now we have it of Acte Prealable.
Do tou know his Piano Quintet? Cello Sonata? If there is interest I can dowload them (off radio recordings)
the cello sonata has been broadcast on BBC (Strahl/Wolanin) yes, I think in this case it's a Polish Radio recording, not a CD one, but I'm not positive. There is a CD of the piano trio rhapsody on Dux. I know of the opus 35 quintet (it's in the IMSLP list of his works) but haven't heard it, I think (but I think the only chamber work of his I have heard is his cello sonata...)
Yes, - please do make the Rozycki Piano Quintet & Cello Sonata available.
After reading the threads about Rozycki I tried very hard to find something, but no luck. On Amazon there are about ten Rozycki CDs. The PC and orchestral samples sound fascinating. What a frustration.
Gerhard
All of you remember that A.S. uploaded this summer two symphonic poems by Rozycki, namely King Kofetua and Mona Lisa Gioconda plus Violin Cto taken off radio (the same performance as issued on Acte Prealable)
You can find link to the Piano Quintet by Rozycki in the Downloads.
below are details (copy from my CDR "cover")
Ludomir Różycki 1884-1953
Kwintet fortepianowy c op. 35 (1913)
I Allegro moderato 14:30
II Adagio 11:27
III Allegro giocoso 14:30
Kazimierz Janas, I skrzypce / Henryk Gruszka, II skrzypce
Zygmunt Jochemczyk, altówka / Leon Mielimąka, wiolonczela
Maria Szwajgier-Kułakowska, fortepian
recorded off Polish Radio - in 2001. at that time, due to let say saving capacity of CDRs I did not registered either names of movements and performers. I can see that my own burnt CDR was included into my inventory in June 2001 so most probably I took it off radio approximately at that time.
Quote from: thalbergmad on Sunday 17 April 2011, 22:50
As far as I am aware, Maliszewski, Pachulski (Fantasia) & Zelenski PC's only exist as radio broadcasts, along with Dobrzynski and Nowowiejski. Why they have not been commercially recorded I do not know. The Zelenski is a belter of a romantic concerto and would grace any label.
If anyone plans to do them, would they please also consider the Sowinski PC the two by Henryk Bobinski and best of all the Borowski (althought he was born in UK).
In fact, any composer ending in "ski". Seems to be a recipe for success.
Thal
Thal,
It has been already corrected that Pachulski's Fantasia was issued on CD few years ago.
you are right that there exist only radio archive recordings of pf ctos by Maliszewski (two performances), Zelenski (two performances) and Nowowiejski (one). plus Nawrocki (one), plus Gablenz (one) and a number of others.
how you get knowledge about ctos by Sowinski and Bobinski, they have never been registered - as far as I know.
Much more pf ctos were composed by Polish composers, only notes about them can be found in dictionaries. For example by Witold Frieman (two), Szeluto (supposedly 6 - with him te sitation is not clear, he suffered mental disorder and made "phantastic" rich list of his own compositions but nobody knows what was the truth). Also Juliusz Wertheim - close friend of Artur Rubinstein (present in the Rubinstein's memoires as Fryderyk Harman). All of them much to - at least - my regret were never recorded.
Marek, you mentioned Apolinary Szeluto. Do you have anything by him for possible upload? I've been looking for some time after his music since I heard his name in a German radio feature on Szymanowski and Mloda Polska. The fact that the author called him 'unimportant and forgotten' roused my interest! ;)
Strongly seconded re Szeluto...
some additional info on the pf cto by Ignacy Dobrzynski.
there exist, apart of the CD by Selene with Jerzy Sterczynski, also CD recently issued by the Frederic Chopin Institute with Howard Shelley. Dobrzynski is coupled with the lovely cto by Franciszek Lessel.
as to Szeluto, situation is very poor
I do have only that:
Mazurek E op. 38 Sobkowicz Elżbieta my CDR
Mazurek fis op. 58 ""Skarga sieroty""" Sobkowicz Elżbieta my CDR
5 preludiów na fortepian Korecka Maria my CDR
Sonata F na wiolonczelę i fortepian op. 9 (1906) Wróbel Andrzej / Tatarski Andrzej CD DUX
Kwartet smyczkowy Es op. 72 (1930) Camerata Vistula Quartet CD DUX
Sonata D na skrzypce i fortepian op. 73 (1931) Kulka Konstanty Andrzej / Tatarski Andrzej CD DUX
Ah, there's at least a CD! :)
And amazon offers sound samples. This will do for a start. Thanks!
yep, according to Worldcat.org (http://worldcat.org/oclc/437311340) Dux released that around 2008. as to Dobrzynski, I have the Shelley recording (a copy) - rather good.
By the way, which Polish Radio station is PLPR? (looked at a list of Polish classical radio stations and none seems to have those initials)
A quick reminder, if I may: it may not be very helpful to other forum members to veer off in other, albeit related directions, in particular if it concerns a different composer. May I encourage you to start a new thread if you are going to discuss someone different, like Szeluto?
In the Dowloads you can find:
Ludomir Różycki (1884-1953)
Cello Sonata in A Minor op. 10 (1906)
Tomasz Strahl, cello
Edward Wolanin, Piano
/off radio recording, July 2004/
My apologies if this has been mentioned previously but I have found a recording of Rozycki's Ballet-Pantomine "Pan Twardowski" played by the Moscow State Opera Orchestra under Ztitslav Gorzynski.
Any interest?
It s, most probablu, a suite from the ballet. Full version has been issued few years ago by Polskie NAgrania (2CD set).
In the Soviet recording conductor must be Zdzislaw Gorzynski.
And Gorzynski was also a conductor of the suite on the LP by Polskie Nagrania (Muza) then reissued on Olympia's CD with the Orchestra of the Warsaw State Opera House.
In the Downloads/Polish Music the following can be found:
LUDOMIR RÓŻYCKI (1884-1953)
1. Stańczyk – Symphonic Scherzo op. 1 (1904)
Polish Radio Orchestra of Krakow / Jerzy Salwarowski
2. Caton's Valse from the 3rd act of Opera "Casanova" (1922)
Katarzyna Jagiełło - Soprano / Polish Radio Orchestra [of Warsaw] / Łukasz Borowicz
Just downloaded the VC last night. Sounds interesting, but I'll eat a 10 gallon hat if the 3rd movement is really Andante! I'll give it a full listen today.
Re.: World premiere recordings of solo piano pieces by Ludomir Róźycki.
Ssssh!
Valentina Seferinova was spotted flying back into Heathrow late last night from Warsaw (has been a big holiday weekend in Poland; prime time to get into the studios of Polish Radio & Television methinks).
Her Facebook page updated today (http://www.Facebook.com/Valentina.Seferinova.1).
Also go http://www.ValentinaSeferinova.com/Latest News
Also go http://www.ValentinaSeferinova.com/CD Recordings - see the 'Coming Soon' panel (has a list of included pieces).
Putting 2 + 2 together - seems the recordings are complete, album artwork done; so just a question of time.
Seems there is a 'taster' at http://youtu.be/QfhrD8CYTjc of 'Balladyna Opus 25'.
Ssssh!!