Record Reviews

JOLANTA SOSNOWSKA & FRIENDS ~ ANTONIO CALDARA: VIOLIN SONATAS FOR TUNE 0159 (Barcode: 5906395808748) ~ POLAND ~ Classical Recorded: 2020 Released: 2022 I write about Classical Music relatively rarely, mainly since I don’t feel sufficiently qualified in the intricacies of the vast legacy of music created over the Centuries. However, in special cases, where the music in question or the performers are close to my heart, I allow myself to express my humble impressions, trying carefully no to commit terrible blunders. This album is the second recording by Polish violinist Jolanta SosnowskaFind albums by this artist, resident in Vienna since 2005, and third overall Classical Music release on the Polish For TuneFind albums on this label label, one of the true patrons of music on the Polish scene, with a remarkable catalogue of 160 titles, assembled over time, which include also numerous Jazz, Avant-Garde and World Music titles. Sosnowska, who obviously likes to dig into the vast library of musical manuscripts at the Austrian National Museum in Vienna, found many forgotten pieces of music, which deserve a contemporary performance and recording. These eight violin sonata by the Italian Baroque composer Antonio CaldaraFind albums by this artist are among her finest findings, and the album presents their World Premiere recording. The music was performed by Sosnowska with cellist Philipp ComploiFind albums by this artist and harpsicord player Erich TraxlerFind albums by this artist and beautifully recorded in a Viennese church. The music was performed by authentic instruments originating from the time this music was composed. The beautiful booklet includes a short essay by musicologist Herbert SeifertFind albums by this artist, who explains the problems with crediting Classical music pieces to their creators and the polemics around these pieces. A short note by Sosnowska about the music is also included, all appearing in Polish, English and German languages. The music is an orgy of Baroque finesse, which in this case is also superbly melodic. Caldera was a wonderful songweaver, which as a composer of many operas was surely very useful, but these sonatas are also full of wonderful melodies. The minimalist trio setting is ideal for this music, allowing every little nuance to be heard perfectly clearly and vividly. The performances are superbly vivacious and Sosnowska’s violin parts are absolutely stunning. Overall, this is a beautiful piece of music, much like a true Bomboniere of Baroque fantasy, bringing immediate associations of other Baroque wonders of architecture, painting and poetry, and which manages to balance perfectly between kitsch and elated beauty, which never ceases to astound. Wholeheartedly recommended, even for people, who would never think to listen to a Classical Music album, or perhaps even especially for those people!

Updated: 24/11/2022Posted: 24/11/2022

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JOLANTA SOSNOWSKA & FRIENDS ~ BAROCK & VIENNA FOR TUNE 0082 (Barcode: 5902768701746) ~ POLAND ~ Classical Recorded: 2012 Released: 2015 This is the first album in a new "silver" series of releases by the distinguished Polish record label For TuneFind albums on this label, which is dedicated to Old Music, i.e. music written during the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Polish violinist Jolanta SosnowskaFind albums by this artist performs seven Baroque compositions, six of which originate in the last quarter of the 17th Century, and only the Antonio VivaldiFind albums by this artist´s Violin Sonata in D major dates from 1716 / 1717. Four of these pieces were created in Vienna but all have a Viennese connection (hence the album´s title), and three of them are world premiere recordings. Sosnowska, who plays a baroque violin, is accompanied by Magdalena MalecFind albums by this artist (harpsichord and organ), Mirko ArnoneFind albums by this artist (theorbo and baroque guitar) and Tore EketorpFind albums by this artist (G violone). The background information about the music is eloquently described in the album´s liner notes in German, Polish and English. Old Music is a niche territory which often suffers from neglect and prejudice. The snob Classical Music connoisseurs who discredit anything before Wolfgang Amadeus MozartFind albums by this artist and after Ludwig van BeethovenFind albums by this artist have little interest in it and therefore it is relatively rarely recorded. This important album shows that Old Music can be both a lot of fun and a serious aesthetic experience. This is definitely worth checking out and opening the horizons or thinking outside of the box we so often close ourselves in. Well done!

Updated: 08/09/2021Posted: 24/02/2016

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