Wladyslaw Zelenski

Berceuse op. 32

Berceuse, published in 1880, comes from the Warsaw period of activity of Władysław Żeleński. The composer, first employed at Warsaw Institute of Music and then as a chair of Warsaw Society of Music, remained an active participant of the concert life. His art consists of great chamber forms, short pieces and numerous songs, because chamber music was back then a king of the salons and subscription concerts, which only started to gain popularity at that time. In his Berceuse Żeleński referred both to Chopin's original and the vocal origin of the genre. The character of the piece is underpinned by the equal compound meter, reserved, subtle dynamics and the 'waving' part of the piano, although it does not serve as a background for the soloist Chopin's ostinato is replaced by Żeleński with a beautiful, intimate dialogue of both instruments. The 'waving' narration in the middle movement adds some vigour to the piece, although it does not disrupt the atmosphere of the calmness. It is a perfect preparation of the soothing return of the melodious theme, entwined with delicate figurations of the piano. The sonic aura of the piece is created by interesting harmony, based rather on subtle changes and avoidance of sudden twists or tenses. This certain fusion of vocal and Chopin's inspirations enabled Żeleński to find his own way towards the artistic language, which is surely worth attention of the listeners and performers. - Grzegorz Mania (translated by Jolanta Bujas-Poniatowska).

Softcover.