Roman Statkowski - Opera "Maria"

[markniew]

For those who like unknown music:

Polish Radio re-broadcasts tonight at. 7:00 p.m. performance of the opera "Maria" by Polish Roman Statkowski (1859-1926)

It was staged during this year Opera Festival in Wexford (22.10.2011)

performers: Daria Maniero – soprano, Rafał Bartmiński – tenor, Adam Kruszewski – bariton, Krzysztof Szumański – bas, Choir and Orchestra Wexford Opera Festival, cond. Tomasz Tokarczyk


Maria was performed live in 2005 (if I remember well) after many years of being fallen in oblivion. then the same performace was issued on CDs by Polish Radio.

[eschiss1]

I just first heard of this composer in the last few days, I think when noticing and skimming an interesting-seeming chamber work of his in score @IMSLP (http://imslp.org/wiki/String_Quartet,_Op.10_(Statkowski,_Roman)). Thanks! BTW, there are several Polish classical radio stations, several of which stream over the net, and - I asked this in another thread and can't remember if anyone answered me there... I know this is a silly question, but which radio station is meant?

[markniew]

In Poland Polskie Radio Program 2 is devoted to classical music (literature, theatre) and presents complete works and not fragments like for example RMF Classic

[Alan Howe]

I'm currently trying to buy the CDs from Polish Radio, but I'm not having much success with the payment process. I'm now awaiting a reply and hope they can help me...

[markniew]

Polish Rdio re-broadcasted this performance during its three  night programmes several years ago. I have registered it.
If there is an interest in hearing such vesrion I can upload it.

[mikehopf]

Eric, I've got a recording of the Statkowski String Quartet if you want it.

[eschiss1]

sure- something off Polish Radio or somesuch? thank you.
(6 string quartets at least by Statkowski, but only 3 recordings of his work - one (conducted by Borowicz- not the same recording, in any case!) of the opera Maria (Polish Radio CD, 2009- not sure if this was given any form of commercial release or was just radio station to radio station transcription stuff- I would guess the latter), and one of piano music; also one aria (on 78s?...))
(The quartets are no.1 in F op.10, no.2 in F minor op.13, no.3 in D op.14,  no.4 in E-flat op.38 (pub.1948?), no.5 in E minor op.40 pub1929 (big piece, 102 page score)), no.6 in E minor (w/o op.). Also mentioned is a fantasy for orchestra in D minor op.25. http://www.polskiemuzy.pl/Oferta.aspx?mas=96&kat=234&page=1&id=PMU04F

[Alan Howe]

Hi Marek,
I'd love to hear the broadcast of Maria!

[markniew]

Allan, ok I will upload MAria.

the same performance (not at the opera stage but the concert versin) has been issued by Polskie Radio
http://sklep.polskieradio.pl/Products/504-roman-statkowski-maria.aspx

3 years ago Acte Prealable issued a CD with Statkowski's piano music vol. 1 with Seferinova

[Alan Howe]

Yes, I found it, Marek - but at the moment I cannot order it from the UK. I am hoping that Polish Radio will e-mail me back!
Thanks for offering to upload the broadcast - I'll look forward to that when you have the time.

[markniew]

Alan,

As requested I have uploaded Act 1 of "Maria" by Roman Statkowski

link in the Downloads/Polish Music

live performance at the W. Lutoslawski Polish Radio Concert Hall, 21 Sep. 2008
then rebroadcasted during three night programs in January 2009, Act 1 - on 03.01.2009

Opera of 1906 (premiered in Warsaw), based on the poem by the romantic poet Antoni Malczewski (1793-1826)  telling the story of love, war (with Tatars). Poem Maria is also called Ukrainian Roman due to the place where the story takes place - in 17th century eastern parts of Poland - Ukraine.
According to the radio comments opera was staged 4 times, for the last time in 1936.
During WW 2 score was partly lost . In 60s Kazimierz Wilkomirski, a pupil of Statkowski reconstructed the score.
It is not clear form me whether it was staged in this version before 2008.

Acts 2 and 3 I will uload tomorrow.

ROMAN  STATKOWSKI    (1859-1926)   

Maria – Opera ater Poem by Antoni Malczewski   (1906)

1. Akt I          42:16

Wioletta Chodowicz, sopran (Maria) / Dariusz Pietrzykowski, tenor (Wacław)
Artur Ruciński, baryton (Miecznik = Official, sword-bearer) / Wojciech Gierlach, bas (Wojewoda = Governor)
Katarzyna Rzymska, sopran (Pacholę = Lad)
Choir of Polish Radio
Polish Radio Orchestra (of Warsaw)
cond. Łukasz Borowicz

[Alan Howe]

Thanks very much indeed, Marek. I have had no reply from Polish Radio as to the problem of ordering from outside Poland...

[Martin Eastick]

Alan,

try ordering "Maria" from gigant.pl - I managed to obtain a copy from them and it was not too much of a problem for a non-Polish speaker like myself! They have it listed on their website (but try searching under Borowicz - as they have it incorrectly listed!) @ 57.99 zl. Mine arrived in about a couple of weeks without any further problems after a few minor difficulties working out how to use their ordering procedure!

In any case it was well worth the trouble!

[Alan Howe]

Hi Martin,
Thanks very much indeed for the heads-up. I have managed to work my way through the ordering process at gigant.pl without too much trouble. I'm very grateful!

[markniew]

Hi Alan,
despite the fact you have ordered the CD set I upload acta 2 and 3 of Maria by Statkowski.
Marek