January 2021 marked the centenary of the death of Władysław Żeleński – one of the most outstanding composers of Polish Romanticism and a figure of great importance for the development of music education in Poland. In tribute to him, Trio Lontano – together with the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic – carried out a special recording project that resulted in an album of his chamber works.
Not only Chopin – rediscovering great composers in the shadow of fame
The Piano Trio, Op. 22, and the Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 61 – the works on the album – are mature compositions, intricately constructed and full of emotional depth. Performing and recording them again is not only a tribute to Żeleński’s legacy but also an important contribution to bringing works that have been unjustly pushed to the margins back into the repertoire.
The project has also been noticed internationally – the album “Żeleński” was nominated for the prestigious ICMA (International Classical Music Awards), regarded as one of the world’s most important recording prizes.
Why does it matter?
Music is not only an art – it also carries memory, history and cultural identity. Projects such as the album “Żeleński” preserve a national heritage that is often hidden in archives and forgotten by the mainstream, yet of great artistic value.
Supporting such initiatives is an investment in culture that encourages depth and reflection – non-commercial, but of great educational and social importance. It also means supporting artists who – like the members of Trio Lontano – devote their time and talent to bringing back music of the highest quality, even if it is not widely known.
Artists who know where they are going
From the outset, Trio Lontano has been guided by the idea of discovering and championing forgotten or rarely performed chamber music – Polish music in particular. Their passion, precision and deep knowledge of the repertoire make each of their interpretations both an artistic and a historical event.
Performers on the recording:
- Anna Maria Kamińska – piano
- Paweł Polak – violin
- Grzegorz Vytlacil – cello
- with guest Adrian Stanciu – viola
