Bartosz Głowacki, Gabriela Graboń, Podkarpacka Chamber Orchestra & Elżbieta Przystasz - Energico (2023) [24/96]

The Opale Concerto for accordion and string orchestra was composed in 1994. Richard Galliano dedicated it to his teacher, Joe Rossi. Just like the titular gemstone Opal, the concerto symbolizes a variety of colors and the interplay of styles.

The first part of the concerto, Allegro furioso, evokes the rhythm and characteristic elements of Balkan music, full of exuberance, accents, and changing meters. The second part, Moderato malinconico – Nobile e espressivo, in which Galliano used two nostalgic melodic motifs, perfectly captures the image of Paris, where the accordion and its sound are an essential element on the streets. The last part of the concerto, Allegro energico, is inspired by Argentine tango in the form of an ostinato with a continuously wandering harmonically main melody. As a homage to Astor Piazzolla, the composer includes a reflective fragment in this part, reminiscent of the music of the maestro, who is a great inspiration to Galliano.

The chamber composition Sinfonietta per archi e timpani by Paweł Korepta is based on dynamic contrasts, juxtaposing solo parts with orchestral tutti. The piece features sequences where each musician performs a dif- ferent melodic part. The composer’s aim is to showcase the noble and exceptionally broad sound of the string orchestra, achieved through the use of various articulation techniques such as harmonics, muted playing, tremolo, and pizzicato. The individual groups within the ensemble are treated like small orchestras engaging in a musical dialogue. The sinfonietta’s structure is unified by a monumental, chorale-like melody that is heard (and introduced) in the first solo part performed by the concertmaster.

Andante and Allegro for violin and chamber orchestra was commissioned from Michał Spisak by Nadia Boulanger for the purpose of a course taught by Yehudi Menuhin in 1954 in Fontainebleau. At the same time, the composer created a piano reduction. It is worth noting that the course also included works by Darius Milhaud, Georges Auric, Henri Dutilleux, and Igor Stravinsky. The ‘little tale’, as Spisak described the work, consists of two episodes, the mysterious and, at times, sombre Andante and the vivacious Allegro which follows it. Boulanger rated this work so highly that she herself conducted its first public perfomance on 16th November 1954.

Józef Świder composed the Suite for accordion and string orchestra for Professor Joachim Pichura in 1979 and premiered during his recital as part of the ‘qualifying exam for the position of assistant professor in accordion playing. Alongside the Lyrical Miniatures for wind quintet, the Suite is considered one of Józef Świder’s most popular instrumental works.

Tracklist:
01. Galliano: Opale Concerto for accordion and string orchestra: Allegro furioso
02. Galliano: Opale Concerto for accordion and string orchestra: Moderato malinconico – Nobile e espressivo
03. Galliano: Opale Concerto for accordion and string orchestra: Allegro energico
04. Korepta: Sinfonietta for strings and timpani
05. Spisak: Andante and Allegro for violin and chamber orchestra
06. Orchestra: Suite for accordion and chamber orchestra: Toccata
07. Orchestra: Suite for accordion and chamber orchestra: Scherzo
08. Orchestra: Suite for accordion and chamber orchestra: Canzona
09. Orchestra: Suite for accordion and chamber orchestra: Danza


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