Mieczysław Karłowicz - Orchestral Songs (Małgorzata Walewska; Rune Bergmann)

Information

Composer: Mieczysław Karłowicz / Orchestrator: Piotr Moss

1. Pamiętam ciche, jasne, złote dnie, Op. 1 No. 5
2. Zasmuconej, Op. 1 No. 1
3. Skąd pierwsze gwiazdy, Op. 1 No. 2
4. Na śniegu, Op. 1 No. 3
5. Zawód, Op. 1 No. 4
6. Smutną jest dusza moja, Op. 1 No. 6
7. Mów do mnie jeszcze, Op. 3 No. 1
8. Idzie na pola, Op. 3 No. 3
9. Śpi w blaskach nocy, Op. 3 No. 5
10. W wieczorną ciszę, Op. 3 No. 8
11. Z erotyków, Op. 3 No. 2
12. Na spokojnem, ciemnem morzu, Op. 3 No. 4
13. Przed nocą wieczną, Op. 3 No. 6
14. Po szerokiem, po szerokiem morzu, Op. 3 No. 9
15. Zaczarowana królewna, Op. 3 No. 10
16. Nie płacz nade mną, Op. 3 No. 7
17. Z nową wiosną

Małgorzata Walewska, mezzo-soprano

Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra

Rune Bergmann, conductor

Date: 2020

Label: Universal Music Polska

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Description

The Szczecin Philharmonic has released yet another, its fourth album devoted to the music of Mieczysław Karłowicz. This time, the album features songs he composed to poems by poets of the Young Poland movement. They are performed by one of the most acclaimed mezzo-sopranos of our time, Małgorzata Walewska.

The Szczecin Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra is conducted by one of Scandinavia’s most talented conductors, Rune Bergmann, who is also the Artistic Director of the Szczecin Philharmonic. This is the third album he has recorded with the ensemble.

The orchestra is joined by the world-renowned soloist and leading lady of the Polish opera stage, Małgorzata Walewska. The interpretation of this artist, endowed with a deeply expressive dramatic mezzo-soprano, brings freshness and lightness to Karłowicz’s works while preserving their characteristic Young Poland atmosphere of melancholy.

Piotr Moss is responsible for the orchestrations of seventeen of the twenty-two works that have survived to the present day. The composer has captured the spirit of the era and Karłowicz’s compositional style exceptionally well, specially arranging for the album works that were originally written for voice and piano.

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Mieczysław Karłowicz (11 December 1876 – 8 February 1909) was a Polish late-Romantic composer and conductor. He studied violin and composition in Warsaw and Berlin, later studying conducting with Arthur Nikisch. His music reflects the influence of Tchaikovsky and Wagner while demonstrating a distinctive harmonic language and exceptional orchestral color. His major works include the Symphony "Rebirth", Violin Concerto and six tone poems. He also composed songs and chamber works. Karłowicz spent his later years in Zakopane and died tragically at age 32 in a skiing avalanche in the Tatra Mountains.

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Małgorzata Walewska (born 5 July 1965) is a Polish mezzo-soprano. She studied at the Academy of Music in Warsaw and gained early recognition through major international vocal competitions. Since her debut at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw in 1991, she has performed leading roles in operas by Verdi, Bizet, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Massenet and others. Her international career has included engagements at prestigious opera houses in Vienna, Berlin, Dresden, San Francisco, Rome and elsewhere, collaborating with renowned conductors and singers. She is also active in concert and oratorio repertoire and has released several recordings.

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