Herbert Glass reviewed the discs for the Los Angeles Times on June 12, 1994: "In his stunningly fine new recording of the two books of Debussy Preludes, he is at once the most analytical of pianists and the most imaginative. What strikes the listener from the outset is the reflectiveness that Zimerman has invested in these performances. Yet they never seem studied."
Ever since winning the 1975 Chopin Competition the Polish pianist has recorded exclusively for Deutsche Grammophon. This is his second recording to win a Gramophone Award. (Chamber music category in 1990). Look up Zimerman's recording of Lutoslawski's Piano Concerto, written in 1987 for him by the late maestro. DG 431664-2 GH. BBC Symphony, Luto slawski conducting.
The first CD produced by the PMRC, it has been favorably reviewed by Ludwik Erhardt, editor of Ruch Muzyczny, the Polish music periodical, and it was selected by Radio Station KUSC (Los Angeles FM 91.5) as "Bonnie's Best Bets for 1993."
Available from Public Music Radio Resource: (800) 75-MUSIC or order from Carondelet Productions, 11999 Chalon Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90049, (213) 272-8016, ex. 235 or Fax (310) 475-8735. Cost: $10 for cassette or $15 for CD. Add $3 shipping and CA res. add 8.25% tax.
The CD is also available from Hildegard Publishing Company, where you can find the scores for Szymanowska's music: No. 09005. Maria Szymanowska. Music for piano. ed by Sylvia Glickman. $28.50 and Maria Szymanowska. 25 Mazurkas. ed. by Polish musicologist Irena Poniatowska. $34.50. Hildegard Pub. Co., Box 332, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. Phone/fax: (610) 649-8649.
Rachel Franklin's playing is favorably reviewed by David Johnson in Fanfare Magazine, Nov/Dec 1994 issue, ..."The Suite Polonaise, op. 16...is an exquisite miniature...a pleasure as well as a challenge to play. I can't imagine its being played more elegantly than it is here. Franklin's is a meticulous art: every note is in its place and accounted for. Yet it is anuanced, beautifully sculpted playing, alive to matters such as phrasing, dynamics, rubato....Those same virtues inform Franklin's Chopin: impeccable fingerwork, a sensitivity to the architecture of each piece, and a wide range of dynamic gradations..."
Produced by ENDECA EN/RF 199401 under the title, "Polish Piano music by F. Chopin and J. Zarebski", the disc features Chopin's Piano Sonata in Bb minor, op. 35 and Ballade no. 4. and nine pieces by Zarebski: Novelette Caprice, Grande Polonaise, Serenade, Suite Polonaie, Dumka, Mazurka, Cracovienne and Kujawiak. Order by mail from ENDECA, 935 N. Calvert St. Apt. D, Baltimore, MD 21202. $13 includes shipping & handling. FAX: (410) 625-5791.
If you liked Zarebski and want to hear more of this composer, look up Polskie Nagrania MUZA label CK 688. Pianist Maria Korecka-Szoszkowska plays Tarantela, op. 25, Concert Etude, Impromptu-Caprice, Gavotte, Spanish Serenade & Polish Suite.
For other latest releases see the Discography file.
Gorecki's music is published by the British firm of Boosey & Hawkes. A new work for chamber ensemble is entitled "Kleines Requiem fur eine Polka." It is scored for piano and thirteen instruments. The "superb" work received its U.S. premiere in November of 1993 by Dennis Russell Davies who led members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic playing the piano part himself. Other scores available from them include Old Polish Music, Amen, Totus Tuus, Beatus Vir and String Quartet no. 1 (Already it is Dusk).
Boosey & Hawkes is also the publisher of Andrzej Panufnik's music. Now available: Cello Concerto; Bassoon Concerto, Twelve Miniature Studies for piano, and scores to Heroic Overture and Katyn Epitaph.
A concert devoted to Gorecki's a cappella choral works was given in April, 1994 at Chicago's Church of St. mary of the Angels. It drew thousands of listeners. The choruses of Chicago Lyric Opera and the Chicago Symphony, conducted by John Nelson, joined forces for the first time to present the U.S. premiere of Gorecki's extraordinary 37-minute opus Miserere. Also included in this program organized by Lucyna Migala, founder of the Lira Chamber Chorus, were Gorecki's Amen and Euntes ibant et flebant.