Gramophone Magazine
May 2020
Editor's Choice

Ewa Wolak (mezzo-soprano), Sylwester Smulczyński (tenor), Robert Gierlach (baritone), Wioletta Chodowicz (soprano), Maria Jaskulska-Chrenowicz (soprano), Szymon Kobylinski (bass)
Podlasie Opera & Philharmonic Choir, Poznan Philharmonic, Łukasz Borowicz

‘Milda’ and ‘Nijola’ are forgotten works by Stanislaw Moniuszko, whose content is based on Lithuanian mythological motifs. They are a unique continuation of the cantata style and form in Polish music and ths is the first time the pieces have been made available on CD.

The cantatas are extremely successful pieces, and the shortness of their popularity can likely be explained by the words of the author of the libretto of Milda, Józef Ignacy Kraszewski. “If our critics were able to recognise Mr. Moniuszko’s talent, we would not envy Germans songs by Schubert and Mendelssohn Bartholdy (...), better than Mr. Moniuszko only because they were lucky to be born and gain fame abroad.”

It seems unbelievable that these cantatas have not yet been available on CD. In this context, the double-CD album of the Pozna Philharmonic is an invaluable contribution to restoring Moniuszko to his rightful place in the forefront of 19th-century European composers.

"This is Slavic mysticism at its best...And the performances are wonderful – soprano Wioletta Chodowicz in particular, the eponymous lead in both works, has a fabulous richness of timbre combined with great agility, but all the soloists are outstanding. The orchestra is fleet of foot and richly sonorous, and the recording excellent. Moniuszko is long overdue for wider recognition." - Gramophone Magazine, May 2020.