Herdzin K – Suita na tematy polskie / Suite on Polish Themes
Krzysztof Herdzin: Assertive Prelude; Nonassertive Toccata; Three Crowns; Suite on Polish Themes: Polka; Suite on Polish Themes: Olender; Suite on Polish Themes: Mazurek; Suite on Polish Themes: Krakowiak; Suite on Polish Themes: Polonez; Suite on Polish Themes: Zbojnicki
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Krzysztof Herdzin – cond.
Universal Music Polska / Decca 481 188 4 (Also available on Amazon)
Known primarily as a brilliant jazz musician, pianist, conductor, composer and arranger, Krzysztof Herdzin explores the neo-classical aspects of traditional Polish dances in his latest release, “Suita na tematy polskie / Suite on Polish Themes.” Recorded in collaboration with the renowned British chamber orchestra Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Herdzin was able to fulfill a life-long ambition to record at Abbey Road studios, conducting an album of his own compositions for string orchestra. This is the first time in history that a Polish composer has established close cooperation with an outstanding orchestra as a standalone conductor.
The bulk of the record focuses on the sophisticated harmonies of impressionistic and neo-classical styles associated with Polish folklore with extended tonality, although the piece Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) was written with the Academy’s particular sound in mind. Herdzin also cites popular tunes in his compositions being inspired by champions of Polish music: Karol Szymanowski, Grażyna Bacewicz, Tadeusz Baird, Wojciech Kilar, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and the French group Les Six. The CD tracks have been made available for sampling on the composer’s website, www.herdzin.com.pl, as well as iTunes.
[Source: asmf.org, jazz.pl, polityka.pl]