Moniuszko. Litanies of Ostra Brama

A unique recording of Stanisław Moniuszko’s litanies – the first ever recording in the world of these works on historical instruments. A perfect combination: the excellent Wrocław Baroque Orchestra conducted by the charismatic Jacek Kaspszyk.

Album premiere: 2015

Publishers: Polish Radio, National Forum of Music

Performers:

Jacek Kaspszyk - conductor

Anna Dennis, Markéta Cukrová, Virgil Hartinger, Jarosław Bręk, Polish Radio Choir, Izabela Polakowska, Magdalena Lisak

Polish Radio Choir

Wrocław Baroque Orchestra

The album presents the latest recording of the four Litanies of Ostra Brama by Stanisław Moniuszko and was released in the Moniuszko Series of Polish Radio 2. The recording features preeminent soloists and singers, the Polish Radio Choir and the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra. The whole is conducted by Jacek Kaspszyk.

Against the background of the impressive number of 18th-century musical settings of litanies (including by J. A. Hasse, M. Haydn, W. A. Mozart), in the following century their number decreased significantly, being limited to local composers, especially those associated with Marian sanctuaries. In his Litanies, Moniuszko generally did reference any tradition of setting them to music, and he also abandoned any “historicizing” references, creating highly original works. In each litany there is a choir and soloists with orchestra accompaniment (in the first three pieces): in the 1st litany it is quite modest, in the 2nd – “Classical”, in the 3rd – the most impressive, with an extended brass section and timpani. The 4th litany has survived only in a version for singers and piano, although it is likely that it was also intended to have an orchestral version.

Awards: Nomination for Fryderyk 2016