USC Thornton professor, pianist Bernadene Blaha, and Swiss violinist Laurence Kayaleh are featured on a new album of Polish romantic music released in December on Naxos (8.574220). These internationally renowned artists perform the unjustly neglected violin sonatas of Władysław Żeleński (1837-1931)and Zygmunt Noskowski (1846-1909).
From the Naxos website:
Both Zygmunt Noskowski and Władysław Żeleński were leading exponents of Polish nationalism in the period from the last quarter of the 19th century. Noskowski is best remembered as a symphonist but his large-scale Violin Sonata in A minor is an imposing work that suggests the influence both of Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata and of Brahms. Żeleński was as eminent a teacher as he was a composer, seeking to broaden Poland’s provincial outlook through works such his opera Janek (Naxos 8.660521–22). His Violin Sonata in F major typifies the essentially conservative idiom that Żeleński pursued in his maturity.
From violinist Laurence Kayaleh’s website:
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Both works were written in the heart of romanticism. Passionate, and yet respecting the sonata form, they often evoke a lyrical character with subtle dialogues between the instruments. These sonatas have the characteristic of being very contrasting in atmospheres and moods, moving quickly from a dramatic and fiery character, to an espiègle and a humorous one, including phrases imbued with remarkable beauty and innerness.
While listeners can appreciate the influence of Noskowski’s symphonic writing within his sonata in A minor – for which the composer was particularly renowned, having been a great conductor himself – they will enjoy the crystalline writing, as well as the influence of Polish folk music in Zelenski’s sonata in F major.
Zygmunt Noskowski, who was one of the most famous Polish pedagogues of his time, was the teacher of the prominent Karol Szymanowski, a composer I am particularly fond of.
In addition to having been a composer, pianist, conductor and teacher, Zelenski also held a PhD in Philosophy, this aspect certainly having had a significant influence within the artistic depth of his work.
[…]
Kayaleh and Blaha prepared for the recording of this album with a recital in Southern California on the Classical Crossroads’ “Second Sundays at Two” series, which was livestreamed on November 13, 2022 from Rolling Hills United Methodist Church. Read David J Brown’s review of the recital at LA Opus: www.laopus.com. Or watch part of their performance from the recital in the Naxos Video Highlight of the Month below.
[Sources: artist communication, naxos.com, Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter from Southern California]