Ludomir RÓZYCKI (1883-1953)
Piano Quintet in C minor op.35 [41:34]
Rhapsody for violin, cello and piano op.33 [11:03]
Cello Sonata in A minor op.10 [20:03]
Jerzy Godziszewski (piano)
Wilanów String Quartet (Tadeusz Gadzina (1st violin, Quintet, Rhapsody),
Pawel Losaskiewicz (2nd violin, Quintet), Ryszard Duz (viola, Quintet),
Marian Wasiólka (cello)).
rec. Polish Radio Studio S2, Warsaw, Poland, 17 January 2007 (Sonata), 31
May and 1 June 2008 (Rhapsody), 29-30 April 2010 and 2 July 2010 (Quintet)
ACTE PRÉALABLE APO253 [72:43]
This disc is another in Acte Préalable’s burgeoning library of Polish rarities.
They’re introducing the public around the world to a whole treasure-house
of Polish music that would otherwise be left undiscovered.
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing another disc of Rózycki’s music and
said that his “music is unashamedly romantic”. This disc is further proof
of that. It is to understand how such music could remain unknown and ignored.
Despite these works not receiving their recording premičres here, as was the
case with the piano music, they get heard not nearly often enough. I’m sure
anyone will feel that when they listen to the piano quintet which
is absolutely chock full of irresistibly gorgeous tunes. I’ve read people
describe other of his works as “minor” but fail to comprehend exactly what
motivates that choice of word; if it means they are not up there with the
great works in the genre then I can agree, though what puts works there is
not always clear. However, if it means they don’t have the genius for invention
that keeps a listener’s interest and involvement then I reject that totally.
The piano quartet is not just very listenable but also ravishing for anyone
who enjoys basking in delectable music that is romantic in the very best sense
of the word. There will have been many composers in the past who would have
been only too pleased to have been able to come up with some of the themes
in this work. It’s a rich vein in which every tune is full of invention and
interest; there’s never a dull moment. Rózycki wrote the first two movements
while travelling in France in 1913, completing it in Berlin. It is a full-blooded
work that is highly successful as a representative of piano quintet composition
and deserves a place in the repertoire and thus to be heard much more often
than it is.
The Rhapsody for violin, cello and piano is further proof of this
composer’s facility for writing sumptuously delicious tunes. I defy anyone
to claim that even the opening few bars do not grab them. Cast as a three
section main theme followed by five variations it is a very attractive example
of early twentieth century composition that ticks all the right emotional
boxes.
The Cello Sonata in A minor is the earliest work of the three on
this disc, dating from 1906. In fact it is Rózycki’s first chamber work and
was dedicated to Konstanty Sarnecki, a cellist he befriended while he was
in Berlin for the first time and who died prematurely only five years later
in 1911. It was performed by the composer and its dedicatee, who was also
a friend of Karol Szymanowski. Contemporary accounts say that it was well
received by audiences, which is unsurprising once you’ve heard it. For a first
chamber work it is very impressive and fully harnesses the cello’s deepest
and richest tones making for sumptuous listening.
All three works are influenced by the ideas behind the Mloda Polska movement
of which Rózycki was an active member and which sought to establish a Polish
tradition of music following Chopin’s influence. They are given committed
performances by the Wilanów Quartet both collectively and separately together
with Polish-born pianist Jerzy Godziszewski. It is to be hoped that with the
help of discs such as these the works will find their way back into the repertoire
where they belong. This will surely happen if they are taken up by musicians
outside Poland. Many will want to once they have heard how attractive they
are.
Steve Arloff
I hope that these works will find their way back into the repertoire where
they belong.
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