F. Martin - Jitka Hosprova Plays Martinu Stamitz & Lukas - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

When drifting over the bridge connecting the 19th century with the 21st century, the chances are that we might be fulfilling Mickiewicz's dreams. Hardly anyone knows that the poet dreamt of composing and that music played a remarkable role in his life. He had already got familiar with folk songs from the Novogrudok region as a child; later, he developed an interest both in the relations between the poetic word and sound and in the natural melodiousness of the Polish language. He also gained theoretical knowledge of music, as he attended lectures on that subject during his studies at the University of Vilnius, thus becoming knowledgeable about musical and theatrical genres. In addition, he knew numerous composers in person, such as Fryderyk Chopin in the first place, to whom he suggested the idea of writing a Slavic opera together. In 1840, the poet addressed the following words to his friend Józef Bohdan Zaleski InchYou know that if I had money, I would give up literature and books, I would settle down in the countryside and compose music. This is my long-time dream - to compose.Inch On this , Mickiewicz's words have been set to music by Benjamin Baczewski.

Musica Claromantanam - Musica Claromontana 14 [COMPACT DISCS] date 01/29/2008

Bohuslav Martinu honed his songwriting craft in between composing larger orchestral works, his yearning for home reflected in the Four Songs to Czech Folk Texts written during desperate times in the Second World War. Sourced from previously unpublished manuscripts, this unique programme presents world premiere recordings of earlier songs written during summer holidays in Policka, as well as the Three Songs after Poems by Guillaume Apollinaire, long thought to e lost but miraculously unearthed just weeks before this recording. Pianist Giorgio Koukl regards these songs as similar to pearls, Inchborn out of hardship, pain and discomfort and, after a while, becoming precious and admired.Inch