DISCOGRAPHY
Polish Romantic Guitar
Chopin/ Bobrowicz/ Horecki/ Szczepanowski/ Sokołowski
It is not popular knowledge that these were the Poles who contributed significantly to the fame and popularity of the guitar in its capacity of a virtuoso instrument holding an important place in the art of music. Masters of interpretation, improvisation, and composition captivated the highest echelons of the crème de la crème, connoisseurs of all things beautiful, and broad audiences. Hailed the king of the guitar, Stanisław Szczepanowski used to play for the British Queen Victoria, Marek Konrad Sokołowski enjoyed the moniker of “the Byron of guitar” and Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz was recognised by his contemporaries as, believe it or not, “the Chopin of the guitar”.
The CD released by the Institute contains Chopin’s Mazurkas transcribed for the guitar by Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz, and the great Pole’s Variations on a theme from Mozart’s Don Giovanni (Là ci darem la mano), Marek Sokołowski’s and Felix Horecki’s miniatures, and Stanisław Szczepanowski’s Variations on the theme of the Polish anthem, whose concept must have been born while the composer was improvising at a Polish émigré reunion in Paris, whose main hero was Adam Mickiewicz himself.
The album is a rare gem not only for the contemporary aficionados of the guitar. It is another memorable recording in the Institute’s catalogue, important for the extremely valuable Polish music it contains: an opening of another approach to Chopin legacy in an extensive cultural context. This is also an exceptional recording by an outstanding Polish guitarist of the young generation. All things told: here comes the pure joy of listening.
Mateusz Kowalski Classical Guitarist
Bach/ Tarrega/ Ponce/ Assad/ Piazzolla/ Giuliani/ Barrios/ Schubert
Mateusz Kowalski’s first album comprises a collection of pieces important for the artist, reimagined and interpreted anew. The tracklist features compositions by Bach, Giuliani, Tárrega, Barrios, Piazzolla, Ponce, Assad and Schubert.
“Youthful energy and virtuosity, a beautiful concert programme, noble sound.”
RYSZARD BAŁAUSZKO
“In his interpretations, Mateusz Kowalski displays unadorned simplicity, nobility of sound, a great variety of moods, emotions, dynamics, melodiousness and delightful phrasing. He handles the guitar with enormous freedom, full of boldness and brilliant virtuosity (...).”
MARCIN ZALEWSKI
“Thanks to his understanding of the significance of harmony and articulation in the interpretation of a musical work, the Artist presents a clear, natural expression; due to his effortless command of the instrument’s abilities and the knowledge of its language, he conveys the expression with concrete, skilfully selected technical means, with immense sense of style and culture. He is well versed in using time and dynamics – from the fully-fledged forte to exquisite, resounding and spacious piano and pianissimo.”
AGATA SAPIECHA
