Paweł Łukaszewski (b. 1968)
Musica Profana 4
Pipirima, Nocturne no.14 for piano (2020)
Wings Concertino for two flutes and piano (2019)
Norwid’s Songs for soprano and piano (2021/22)
Lukasonata for flute and piano (2021)
Concertino doppio for violin, viola and piano (2021)
Icon II for piano (2018)
rec. 2022/23, Concert Hall of the Chopin University of Music, Warsaw, Poland
First recordings except Pipirima
DUX 2105 [70]

Following my review of an excellent disc showcasing the pianistic talents of Jan Wachowski, this present disc has given me the opportunity to hear more of Paweł Łukaszewski’s brilliant music. The bulk of the composer’s output is devoted to religious music, described by acclaimed Polish music scholar Adrian Thomas as “resolutely anti-modern sacred choral music”. He is the winner of seven Frederyk awards and his music has appeared on 150 CDs. He comes from a family steeped in music; his father was a composer and his brother, who wrote the booklet notes, is one too.

The first item is a piano miniature, one of Łukaszewski’s cycle of fifteen nocturnes, all named after recently discovered stars, Pipirima being named after a Tahitian story’s character, one of two children who fled their parents to become stars. Wings concertino is a work available in alternate versions for two flutes, two saxophones or string orchestra (entitled concerto). The first movement is a gentle, dance-like piece whose central motif will doubtless stay in the memory for some time; one could easily imagine a couple of fairies at play. The second is altogether different in character; the pensive, dreamy nature that permeates it brings Debussy to mind at several points. The final movement reverts to the dancing rhythms of the first, and drive their way to its conclusion. Additionally, there are charming elements that bring birdsong to mind. Once they have been discovered by flautists, I can imagine that they will become very popular.

The third work, three songs to words by Cyprian Kamil Norwid, incorporates religious elements but the songs are concert items rather than church music. They are extremely sensitive pieces and are perfectly suited to the crystal-clear voice of soprano Anna Mikołajczyk-Niewiedział. Lukasonata, for flute and piano, as the composer’s brother notes point out, brings to mind the sonatas for flute and piano of composers like Prokofiev and Poulenc. Rather than being wildly demonstrative, their four movements are contemplative, though the second is more animated than the other three. The third, with a particularly prominent tune, is slower than the second, though with a lively interjection towards the end. The work’s closing movement is also full of life but wears an aura of nostalgia on its sleeve. Like the previous work for two flutes, this has every chance of being snapped up by flautists in future.

Concertino doppio creates a tense atmosphere from the off with an agitated piano part at odds with the two strings, which battle it out for the entire length of the first movement. The second, however, seems like an oasis of calm by comparison. The tempo is slow with the strings creating a sense of sad beauty against the piano’s framework. The final movement returns to a faster pace and the instruments are united in the musical message they deliver which is joyful and uplifting. Icon II, the disc’s final offering is a second version of a piece originally written for organ, which is easy to imagine given that the chords are held for a long time, something which the organ is particularly suited for and the grandeur imparted is impressive.

Paweł Łukaszewski is rightly considered to be the leading Polish composer writing today. He has inherited a mantle worn by such giants as Penderecki, Lutosławski and Gorecki and he wears it well, as these works attest. I am now eager to hear some of his longer works, like his string quartets and symphonies. He is quite prolific with his compositions falling into no fewer than 12 categories. The works on this disc give a good idea of his ability to write for various combinations and the musicians who appear on the disc deliver powerful performances of all the items, the two flautists, the pianist and the soprano particularly stood out. If any reader has not come across Łukaszewski before then this disc is the perfect introduction to a composer who not only writes beautiful music but can also tug hard on the heartstrings, while also being adept at representing joy as well as sadness. 

Steve Arloff

Performers
Agata Kielar-Długosz (flute)Łukasz Długosz (flute)
Anna Mikołajczyk-Niewiedział (soprano)
Kamila Wasik-Janiak (violin)
Aleksandra Demowska-Madejska (viola)
Ewa Guz-Seroka (piano)

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