Bogurodzica / Mother of God, Angelus, Exodus. National Philharmonic Choir Warsaw, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Katowice, Izabela Klosinska - soprano, Antoni Wit - conductor, Henryk Wojnarowski - choir preparation.
This is the second title from the series of outstanding performances of Polish contemporary music presented at the International Festival "Wratislavia Cantans" featuring the works by Wojciech Kilar. In 2003 a disc with the concert performance of Missa pro pace was released. This time the recording contains pieces registered during the special concert celebrating the composer's 65 birthday, which took place in the St. Mary Magdalene Cathedral in Wroclaw during the 32nd edition of the Festival.
Three religious works written in different periods were performed during the concert: BOGURODZICA / MOTHER OF GOD, Angelus and Exodus. For the performance's sake they were integrated by Kilar into a triptych. The cycle begins with MOTHER OF GOD, composed in 1975. It is followed by the lyrical, beginning with a recitating prayer, ANGELUS written in 1984 for the reopening of the Jasna Góra altar in Częstochowa after its restoration. The soprano part is brilliantly performed by Izabela Kłosińska - the soloist of the Polish Grand Theatre National Opera. The triptych finishes with the inspired by a simple Jewish folk melody EXODUS, written in 1981.
According to the composer's will, the compositions were performed in short intervals, which resulted in a self-contained musical whole. The pieces on the disc are ordered in a similar manner, enabling the listener to grasp the atmosphere during the concert.
Wojciech Kilar, Tryptyk / The Triptich. Wojciech Kilar: "Bogurodzica / Mother of God", "Angelus", "Exodus". National Philharmonic Choir Warsaw, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Katowice, Izabela Klosinska - soprano, Antoni Wit - conductor, Henryk Wojnarowski - choir preparation. Wratislavia Cantans, DUX 2004 - DUX 0484, DDD 58'16".
Polish Music Information Center
Polish Composers' Union
February 2004