Władysław Żeleński - 2 Mazurkas Op. 31 (Szałucka)

Władysław Żeleński - Dwa Mazurki / Deux Mazourkas Pianist: Anna Szałucka Published in 1880 No. 1 in C#-Minor - 0:00 No. 2 in A-Major - 3:22 Władysław Żeleński (1837-1921) was born in Grodkowice, a village 25 kilometers southeast of kraków. He studied in Kraków, Prague, and Paris with Franciszek Mirecki, Alexander Dreyschock, and Napoléon-Henri Reber. His music education was diverse, but he soon carved out his own style. Initially, his style reflected Mendelssohn and Schumann but adopted influence from Moniuszko and Smietana later. From an early age, Żeleński showed an interest in chamber music, so his style grew to accommodate that interest. His skillful counterpoint sets him apart from many of the other Polish composers at that time. Much of his piano music utilizes four voices. In these mazurkas, we can see, on one hand, a simple melody and common dance structures, on the other hand, there are several passages in which Żeleński interweaves several voices and creates distinct textures. The first piece is much darker than most of Żeleński's piano output. There is a kind of conflict between the standard romantic mazurka melody in the right hand and the brooding chords that sustain themselves over heavy dotted texture in the left hand. The middle passage showcases the nice lovely mazurka that fits one's expectations, but the foreboding atmosphere returns to close out the piece. The second piece is much more a standard romantic era mazurka but there are two distinctive elements - Żeleński's counterpoint and a very interesting motif where a 16th note octave jumps a 4th interval to a quartet note octave. These kinds of jumps are common in Scriabin's music, so it is almost strange to see them in Żeleński. The second mazurka is much more joyful and has a more palpable folk-character. Interestingly, the first bars of the second piece echo the first piece. The same rhythmic structures appear later, so they seem to suggest a continuity between the two pieces. Where the first mazurka is quiet and dour, the second is exuberant, so they complement each other and create a well-rounded set. Original Video:    • Władysław Żeleński: Dwa mazurki op. 31 /  ...   IMSLP: https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/u...