Mickiewicz's poetry inspired many composers, including Fryderyk Chopin, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Stanisław Moniuszko, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
Historical Context
Adam Mickiewicz, whose poetry is set in this album, dreamed of composing music and had theoretical musical knowledge from his studies at the University of Vilnius.
Composition History
This cycle of songs is part of the research and academic project "Poland Painted with Music," conceived by Dr. hab. Magdalena Witczak, Professor of the Academy of Art in Szczecin.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album's central idea is to create a new space for the relationship between music and poetry, making Mickiewicz's "Ballads and Romances" function in a modern emotional and temporal context.
Instruments
The instrumentation for the ballads is based on an orchestral body including strings, wind instruments, and percussion, with significant roles for harp, celesta, ethnic instruments, and electronic layers.
Composition History
Composer Beniamin Baczewski wrote this cycle of songs specifically for Magdalena Witczak, and its world premiere took place on December 9, 2021, at the Szczecin Philharmonic.
Compositional Technique
Beniamin Baczewski's compositions for this album use a tonal language, soft sonorities, and expressive melodies, combining various musical genres like crossover with electronics and virtual instruments.
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