Łukaszewski: Nocturnes

Featuring

Maciej Zagórski
Paweł Łukaszewski

Did you know?

1/7

Recording & Production

This recording was made with the support of a research and development subsidy from the Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa, Poland.

Interpretation

Maciej Zagórski, the pianist, is fascinated by how the Nocturnes continue the tradition of piano masters like John Field, Fryderyk Chopin, and Gabriel Fauré, while also being inspired by Łukaszewski's religious music.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The titles of the individual Nocturnes are inspired by the names of newly discovered bright stars, taking the 'songs of the night' to the cosmos.

Compositional Technique

The sound layer of the Nocturnes is based on material from Łukaszewski's earlier choral works; for example, the first nocturne, Alsephina, is based on the choral piece Nunc dimittis.

Composition History

The Nocturnes for piano, completed in 2020, are a series of fifteen miniatures dedicated to the composer's brother, Marcin Łukaszewski, who gave their first performance.

Composer Biography

Paweł Łukaszewski, the composer, is considered one of Poland's most outstanding creators of sacred music, with a core of vocal-instrumental and choral works.

Compositional Technique

These Nocturnes are intimate and atmospheric, avoiding spectacular virtuosity and instead focusing on poetic expression, depth, and contemplation through subtle, often neo-tonal harmony and moderate dynamics.