"Zygmunt Stojowski and Ludomir Rozycki are outstanding figures of Polish music of the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. Both became known not only as interesting artists and performers, but also as ardent patriots, caring for the fate of the country and nurturing Polishness in difficult periods of history. This album presenting their cello sonatas is part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining independence, reminding us of the great role native culture plays in the process of building national identity" (Tomasz Strahl).
Sonata in A major for piano and cello op. 18 by Stojowski - a student of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the first Polish composer to have a monographic concert organized in the famous Carnegie Hall - is a virtuosic work, full of momentum, with an extensive, daring part of both instruments and rich melodics referring to the national trend. It was presented as a showcase piece by, among others, Pablo Casals. The Sonata in A minor for cello and piano op. 10 Rozycki. It is a more intimate composition, characterized by charming melodics, exuberant emotionality, in which references to Polish folk music can be found. Both sonatas remain a valuable testimony to the time in which they were created and deserve to be appreciated.
