Żeleński: Janek

Featuring

Wojciech Rodek
Małgorzata Grzegorzewicz-Rodek
Agnieszka Kuk
Łukasz Gaj
Paweł Trojak
Dariusz Górski

Dawid Jarząb
Mateusz Słonina
Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra
Choir of the Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra
I Signori Men's Vocal Ensemble
Władysław Żeleński

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Historical Context

Władysław Żeleński's father was killed by local peasants during the Galician Slaughter in 1846, a rural revolt stirred up by Austrian Habsburg invaders.

Composition History

Żeleński's opera Janek was premiered in Lviv on October 4, 1900, during the opening of the Lviv Municipal Theatre, which is now the Lviv National Opera.

Compositional Technique

The opera Janek incorporates a national element through thematic references to the Tatra Mountains and the life of the górals (highlanders), with its score including traditional music from this region.

Recording & Production

This album is a world premiere recording of Żeleński's opera Janek, recorded in October 2021 at The Henryk Wieniawski Philharmonic in Lublin, Poland.

Composer Biography

Władysław Żeleński, the composer, grew up in a home where music was present daily, with his father, Marcjan, an amateur pianist, playing works by Weber, Auber, and Schubert.

Compositional Technique

Żeleński's orchestration in Janek uses wind instruments to depict the serenity of the mountain landscape and brass instruments for heroic and tragic scenes, with the violin identifying the character Marek.

Composer's Artistic Vision

At its core, Janek attempts to transfer the principles of the Italian verismo movement into Polish national opera of the Romantic era, drawing inspiration from composers like Pietro Mascagni.