NEW ON NAXOS | JUNE 2023
INCLUDES WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS
Violin Conversations BLACKFORD • BLAKE • BUTLER • HISCOCKS • HOROVITZ KNEHANS • MALONE • MUSGRAVE • RAWSTHORNE • WALLEN Madeleine Mitchell, Violin Andrew Ball, Errollyn Wallen, Wendy Hiscocks, Nigel Clayton, Ian Pace, Martin Butler, Howard Blake, Pianos
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Violinist Madeleine Mitchell has inspired new works from a variety of composers, many of whom share connections of various kinds. ‘Conversations’ sit at the heart of an album in which four pianist composers join Mitchell to perform their works. The music ranges from Alan Rawsthorne’s quicksilver 1958 Violin Sonata , heard here in a BBC broadcast to honour Mitchell’s two-decade partnership with the late Andrew Ball, to Thea Musgrave’s vivid Colloquy . The sequence of atmospheric, communicative pieces from contemporary composers explores natural phenomena, songs of freedom, telephonic frustration and a pas de deux love duet. Key Features: • Madeleine Mitchell has performed as a solo violinist and chamber musician in 50 countries, including at major festivals and venues such as the BBC Proms, the Canberra International Music Festival, Lincoln Center in New York, Wigmore Hall and the South Bank Centre in London, and the Sydney Opera House. She has been a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. • She plays Howard Blake ’s The Ice Princess and the Snowman on this album. She has also recorded his Violin Sonata , Penillon and Jazz Dances which can be heard on 8.572083: ‘Beautifully written and performed by an all-star line-up, these enchanting scores will be loved by anyone who adores Schumann or Brahms’ ( Classic FM ). BBC Music Magazine also commended her performance on Grace William’s chamber music (8.571380): ‘Madeleine Mitchell makes eloquent work of the Violin Sonata’. • On 8.570340 Mitchell and Andrew Ball perform the Sonata and Sonatina of William Alwyn in a chamber music release: ‘Violinist Madeleine Mitchell and a distinguished company of musical friends unlock the Romantic richness of works such as the Sonatina … Outstanding’ ( Classic FM ).
8.574560 Release Date: 23 Jun 2023
Companion Titles – Madeleine Mitchell, Violin
8.571380
8.572083
8.570340
Click to listen to RAWSTHORNE, A.: Violin Sonata: III. Toccata: Allegro di bravura
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WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING
Władysław ŻELEŃSKI (1837–1921) Janek (‘Johnny’) Opera in two acts (1896–99) Libretto by Ludomił German (1851–1920)
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Małgorzata Grzegorzewicz-Rodek, Agnieszka Kuk, Sopranos Łukasz Gaj, Tenor • Paweł Trojak, Baritone • Dariusz Górski, Bass Women’s Choir of The Henryk Wieniawski Philharmonic in Lublin I Signori Men’s Vocal Ensemble The Henryk Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra in Lublin Wojciech Rodek
Władysław Żeleński was a neo-Romantic from southern Poland whose compositions were infused with evocative national colour and character. His opera Janek draws on local atmosphere and traditional music but also makes use of the emotive Italian verismo style. Set in the Tatra Mountains, the tragic drama of Janek weaves an entangled tale of romantic attachments and deception, set in motion after the eponymous hero and leader of a band of robbers, arrives wounded at the cottage of the charming Bronka. Key Features: • Władysław Żeleński is known as a successor to Stanisław Moniuszko, but beyond some chamber music on Polish labels such as Dux and Acte Préable very little of his music is known in modern recordings. One or two arias from Janek have appeared on recital programmes, but this world premiere of a complete modern recording of this opera has to be counted as something of a coup in a work that achieved popularity in its day and was given its premiere at the opening of the Lviv Municipal Theatre in 1900. Janek has only really been recognised and appreciated within the borders of Poland, but with its blend of folk music and high drama Janek has all of the tragic weight you could ask for in a Romantic opera from any country. • This concert performance of Janek was part of a series of concerts in Lublin that celebrated Władysław Żeleński’s music in marking the 100th anniversary of his death. With its superb cast and world class orchestra under the baton of artistic director Wojciech Rodek – ‘one of two or three most talented conductors of the younger generation’ – this recording represents a significant event that we are delighted to be making available for everyone to experience and enjoy.
8.660521-22 Release Date: 16 Jun 2023
Companion Titles – Other recordings featuring Polish composers
8.579085
8.574288
8.660485-86
8.570724
Click to listen to Act II: Scene 4: Będzie tu, dzisiaj gwarno i wesoło! (‘This place will be loud and merry today!’)
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