Józef Nowakowski - 4 Mazurkas Op. 19 (Górska-Mikosz)

Józef Nowakowski - Cztery mazurki Pianist: Weronika Górska-Mikosz Note: Some of the 4th Mazurka is from a different edition 0:00 - I. Lento ma non troppo 2:14 - II. Vivo ma non troppo 3:39 - III. Lento ma non troppo 4:51 - IV. Vivace Józef Nowakowski (1800-1865) was a piano teacher, composer, and a friend of Chopin. Nowakowski studied with Józef Elsner at the Warsaw Conservatory where he and Chopin were classmates. Mere proximity with Chopin, as one can see in reactions to Dobrzyński, invites comparison, as few can escape Chopin's gravity. While Nowakowski, like Chopin, wrote primarily for the piano, he differentiated himself by also writing symphonies, concertante works, and lots of chamber music [1]. Nowakowski's wider choices of ensembles altered his compositional approach. It is probable that his two symphonies and four overtures were written during his formation under Elsner [2], and his compositions show evidence of orchestral thinking [1]. While Nowakowski was caught in the currents of salon music, also he wrote very high-order pieces requiring virtuosic technique and drawing associations with folk material. In spite of his artistic aims, his position as a piano teacher also necessitated writing more instructional pieces [1]. Once, he enjoyed popularity, but over time, he lost reputation. For example, Chopin chose his first symphony over Dobrzyński's while he was organizing a concert in Warsaw in 1830, and his second symphony received warm reviews [3]. Certainly, Nowakowski was a contemporary of Chopin and follows after him in some ways, but Nowakowski's output is best experienced with fresh ears. In terms of his career, he had a reputation as an able piano teacher and pianist [1][3]. Early in his life, he was a member of various ensembles, but in his conservatory days, he found Elsner's approval [1]. After graduation, he went toured Paris, Italy, and Germany, where he and Chopin visited Schumann [1]. Eventually, he settled in Warsaw, joining the musical life there and becoming a member of the so-called 'Warsaw School.' [4] He taught privately and in the Aleksandryjski-Maryjski Girl's School in Warsaw [1]. Once Apolinary Kątski was finally able to renew the operation of the Warsaw Conservatory under the name "Warsaw Institute of Music," Nowakowski became a professor of piano there [1]. [1] M. Negrey. Nowakowski, Józef: Biogram i Literatura. polskabibliotekamuzyczna.pl 2023. [2] A. Sowiński. Les Musiciens Polonais et Slaves. Paris. Libraire Adrien Le Clere. 1857. [3] W. Smialek. Ignacy Dobrzyński (1807-1867): His Life and Symphonies. Dissertation. North Texas State University. 1981. [4] M. Dziadek, Od Szkoły Dramatycznej do Uniwersytetu. Dzieje Wyższej Uczelni Muzycznej w Warszawie 1810–2010, tom I 1810–1944. Warszawa. 2011.