FRANCISZEK BRZEZINSKI (1867-1944): Tema con variazioni, Op. 3, Suite polonaise, Op. 4, Triptique, Op. 5, Toccata, Op. 7, Waltz.

Description: Although the titles may suggest otherwise, these are not quasi-light music suites: the Suite polonaise has what must be the only polonaise-fugue in existence and its oberek and krakowiak bring those traditional dances into the early 20th century by subtle variations in form and style and an often terse manner while the Triptique is actually a set of three preludes and fugues with titles (Doubt, Christmas in Poland and Before the Sphinx) whose outer pieces characterize the fin de siècle uneasiness and majesty of Brzezinski's chosen sound world with the Sphinx fugue approaching Regerian complexity. Barbara Pakura (piano).