Giorgio Koukl, the pianist on this recording, is considered a leading interpreter of Bohuslav Martinů's piano music, having recorded the complete solo piano works of the Czech composer.
Compositional Technique
The majority of Szczerbiński's piano compositions are simply titled Chansons sans paroles ('Songs Without Words'), reminiscent of Mendelssohn, Liszt, and Chopin.
Recording & Production
This album features world premiere recordings of Alfons Szczerbiński's piano works.
Composer Biography
Alfons Szczerbiński, a Polish composer, was born in 1858 in Gostyń, a town then under German control, and began composing at age 7.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Szczerbiński's musical outlook was conservative, showing a strong predilection for the works of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart, which was affirmed during his studies in Berlin.
Cultural Impact
Many of Szczerbiński's compositions were lost during World War I or destroyed by the composer himself, but approximately 65 pieces were preserved thanks to his niece, pianist Maria Szczerbińska.
Composer Biography
Szczerbiński was admitted to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin with a double scholarship after impressing director Joachim with his own pieces and Bach's Fugues.
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