Mikolaj Warszynski Piano Solo: Haydn, Szymanowski, Liszt, Chopin
Joseph Haydn (1732 – 1809): Grand Sonata in C major Hob. XVI:50; Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937): Shéhérazade de Masques, OP. 34 ; Franz Liszt (1811-1886): Méphisto Valse No.1; Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849): Polonaise in E flat minor, Op. 26 No.2; Scherzo No.1 in B minor Op.20; Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 No. 1; Polonaise in A flat major Op. 53 ‘Heroic’
Mikolaj Warszynski – piano
Anima Records ANM/141200001 (2015)
For his debut album for Anima Records, Polish-Canadian pianist Mikolaj Warszynski has put together a recital of works by Haydn, Liszt, Szymanowski and an assortment of Chopin. The animated ‘Grand Sonata’ in C major by Joseph Haydn Hob. XVI:50, the voluptuous Shéhérazade by Karol Szymanowski, and the dazzling Mephisto Waltz by Franz Liszt, taken together form a luminous first half. These stand in marked contrast to the revolutionary nature of the works of Chopin in the second half: the big C minor Nocturne Op. 48 No. 1, the turbulent first Scherzo Op. 20 with its heavenly lullaby, and finally, two contrasting polonaises—the sombre and mysterious Polonaise in E flat minor Op. 26 No. 2, and the famous ‘Heroic’ Polonaise in A flat major Op. 53. Warszynski upholds that in these revolutionary works, “Chopin’s particular genius was one that was able to fuse his intuitive exhortations within the bounds of reason, but the music resonates with resolve and emotion on a prophetic scale symbolizing the struggles of his defunct nation.”
“Warszynski, born, like Chopin, in Poland but raised in Edmonton, is a fluid player who beautifully captured the lilting concerto… and the appreciative audience rewarded Warszynski and the orchestra for the breathtaking performance with a standing ovation.”—Lana Michelin, Red Deer Advocate, January 18, 2015 on Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2
“Warszynski treats the works of Chopin in a very intellectual manner… in his interpretation the music takes on dramatic characteristics, even hovering on the verge of the tragic…”—Joanna Tumiłowicz, Maestro magazine 2013
“Mikolaj’s piano playing is stellar.” —Michael Horwood, Tonus Vivus 2009
Mikolaj Warszynski has performed in recitals across North America, Europe and Asia, and enjoys a versatile career as a pianist, lecturer, and pedagogue. A Canadian pianist of Polish origin, his performances of Chopin and Szymanowski in particular have garnered critical acclaim on the world stage. Invitations to many prominent music festivals and societies have led to recent performances in South Korea at the Woobong Art Hall, in Paris at the Cité Internationale des Arts, in Czech Republic at the Janacek Hukvaldy Festival, and in Canada at the Place des Arts in Montreal. In Poland, Warszynski has performed in Warsaw at the Royal Łazienki Park under the Chopin monument, in Gdańsk at the Baltic Philharmonic, and most recently as soloist with the Kielce Filharmonic. He is also a founding member of the Warszynski Trio, dedicated to the promotion of contemporary Canadian composers, whose album Devil’s Dance was released on Clef Records. As part of the Canadian Piano Duo, together with his wife, pianist Zuzana Simurdova, Mikolaj gave the Canadian premiere of Disintegration by Claude Vivier, for the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec. Upcoming events incude a spring concert tour of China, a return to perform in Poland at the International Szymanowski Festival this summer, and master classes this summer at the Flaine Opus74 Academy in the French Alps.
[Sources: press release, anima-records.com, mikolajwarszynski.net]