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Track(s) taken from CDA67903

Kujawiak

composer
published by Boosey & Hawkes, New York, in the 1942 volume Homage to Paderewksi

Jonathan Plowright (piano)
Recording details: January 2011
Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Produced by Jeremy Hayes
Engineered by Tony Faulkner
Release date: November 2011
Total duration: 2 minutes 39 seconds

Cover artwork: Adaptation of the cover illustration for Homage to Paderewski (Boosey & Hawkes, 1942).
 

Reviews

‘Performances of a superlative technique and musicianship. Pianism and sheer musical quality of this order are rare at any time, and Hyperion's recordings … are exemplary’ (Gramophone)

‘This is a fascinating document. Pieces by Martinů and Castelnuovo-Tedesco are among the gems … overall more reflective than virtuosic, this disc allows Plowright to show off his superb command of texture and colour’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘This is an enchanting follow-up to Jonathan Plowright’s 'Hommage à Chopin' disc (CDA67803), and, like that one, it is an eclectic mix of music focused on a central figure … many of the composers have now disappeared into the mists of time, but all of these miniatures are well worth the warmth, affection, lyrical beauty and bravura that Plowright devotes to them … the 24 tracks also include music by Britten, Bartók and Milhaud, adding to a disc that makes a welcome change in being conceived with such imagination. Plowright’s playing throughout is sublime’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘Jonathan Plowright's sumptuous range of colours and dynamic control [is] much in evidence … any pianophile will surely find it interesting to have a glimpse into music by the composers of the day. One can find no fault, too, with Hyperion's well-balanced, warmly recorded sound’ (International Record Review)
Born in Tarnopol (now Ternopil, Ukraine), Karol Rathaus received his musical training in Berlin and Vienna. In 1938 the composer moved to New York where he spent the rest of his life. Neoclassical in style, Rathaus’s Kujawiak (a Polish dance in triple metre) is characterized by its highly chromatic and sinuous melody.

from notes by Joseph A Herter © 2011

Né à Tarnopol (l’actuelle Ternopil ukrainienne), Karol Rathaus reçut sa formation musicale à Berlin et à Vienne. En 1938, il gagna New York où il passa le restant de ses jours. De style néoclassique, sa Kujawiak (une danse polonaise ternaire) est marquée par une mélodie extrêmement chromatique et flexueuse.

extrait des notes rédigées par Joseph A Herter © 2011
Français: Hypérion

Der in Tarnopol (jetzt Ternopil, Ukraine) geborene Karol Rathaus erhielt seine musikalische Ausbildung in Berlin und Wien. 1938 ging der Komponist nach New York, wo er den Rest seines Lebens verbrachte. Charakteristisch für Rathaus’ neoklassizistischen Kujawiak (ein polnischer Tanz im Tripeltakt) ist seine höchst chromatische und gewundene Melodie.

aus dem Begleittext von Joseph A Herter © 2011
Deutsch: Christiane Frobenius

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