Release Date: 23 September 2022
Label: DUX Recording Producers
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5902547018546
Genres: Classical Chamber Music
Description
This album will bring listeners closer to the music of a slightly forgotten Polish composer of Jewish origin, Karol Rathaus (1895–1954). Some of the featured compositions are world recording premieres. Found in the archives by enthusiasts, they restore the memory of the artist and, above all, of his music.
Rathaus's activity coincided with the first, turbulent half of the 20th century – a period of great stylistic changes. The composer absorbed all new trends while studying in Berlin, from where he was forced to flee in the 1930s due to the Nazi campaign. He was keen on creating chamber music, which can be found on the album, including Eine kleine Serenade, Op. 23 from 1927 for wind instruments, inspired by music from overseas; the piece has never been recorded so far. The works for violin and piano, Pastorale and Danse, Op. 39 and Dedication and Allegro 'Hommage à Chopin', as well as one of the last compositions by Rathaus, which was already created in the United States, the expressive Rapsodia notturna, Op. 60 for cello and piano from 1950, stand out due to their beautiful sounds.
The compositions are performed by the Karol Rathaus Ensemble together with guest artists. The ensemble specializes in Rathaus's oeuvre, thanks to which listeners can get to know this beautiful, although still little-known music.
"Rathaus must have quickly acquired a good command of English, as both cycles set poems in English. The first cycle, Three English Songs, is the more straightforward, with the settings respectively late romantic, vigorous and declamatory. Five Moods after American Poets are somewhat wry, even sardonic, with an idiom which is a little closer to expressionism. I found both of these rewarding." – MusicWeb International
Tracklisting
Collegium Cantorum Choir, Janusz Siadlak
Jacek Szponarski, Szymon Mechlinski, Jolanta Pszczolkowsla-Pawlik
Jan Milosz Zarzycki, Witold Lutoslowski Lomza Chamber Philharmonic
Pawel Przytocki, Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic Orchestra, Wojciech Niedziolka
Tomasz Ritter, Tansman Trio
Messages Quartet, Piotr Lato
Malgorzata Wasiucionek-Potera, Andrzej Karalow
Maciej Tworek, Jerzy Semkow Polish Sinfonia luventus Orchestra
Karol Rathaus Ensemble
