Moniuszko - Cantatas: Milda & Nijola | Dux DUX164041

Moniuszko - Cantatas: Milda & Nijola

£23.70

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Label: Dux

Cat No: DUX164041

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 2

Genre: Vocal/Choral

Release Date: 13th December 2019

Contents

Artists

Wioletta Chodowicz (soprano)
Maria Jaskulska-Chrenowicz (soprano)
Ewa Wolak (mezzo-soprano)
Sylwester Smulczynski (tenor)
Robert Gierlach (baritone)
Szymon Kobylinski (bass)
Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Choir
Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor

Lukasz Borowicz

Works

Moniuszko, Stanislaw

Milda
Nijola

Artists

Wioletta Chodowicz (soprano)
Maria Jaskulska-Chrenowicz (soprano)
Ewa Wolak (mezzo-soprano)
Sylwester Smulczynski (tenor)
Robert Gierlach (baritone)
Szymon Kobylinski (bass)
Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Choir
Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor

Lukasz Borowicz

About

Milda and Nijoła are forgotten works by Stanisław Moniuszko, whose content is based on Lithuanian mythological motifs. They are a unique continuation of the cantata style and form in Polish music and ths is the first time the pieces have been made available on CD.

The cantatas are extremely successful pieces, and the shortness of their popularity can likely be explained by the words of the author of the libretto of Milda, Józef Ignacy Kraszewski. “If our critics were able to recognise Mr. Moniuszko’s talent, we would not envy Germans songs by Schubert and Mendelssohn Bartholdy (...), better than Mr. Moniuszko only because they were lucky to be born and gain fame abroad.”

It seems unbelievable that these cantatas have not yet been available on CD. In this context, the double-CD album of the Poznań Philharmonic is an invaluable contribution to restoring Moniuszko to his rightful place in the forefront of 19th-century European composers.

Reviews

Moniuszko is a composer of great dramatic power: the evocation of the spring night with which Nijoa opens would be enough to convince one of that. This is Slavic mysticism at its best … The music is extremely powerful: Moniuszko was not only a master of the orchestra … but a fine melodist … And the performances are wonderful – soprano Wioletta Chodowicz in particular, the eponymous lead in both works, has a fabulous richness of timbre combined with great agility, but all the soloists are outstanding. The orchestra is fleet of foot and richly sonorous, and the recording excellent. Moniuszko is long overdue for wider recognition.  Ivan Moody
Gramophone May 2020
Gramophone Editor's Choice

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