Double album of “Milda” & ”Nijoła” cantatas by Stanisław Moniuszko appeared on the May list of best CD album chosen by the prestigious British magazine devoted to classical music – Gramophone.

“Milda” and “Nijoła”, now almost unknown cantatas composed by Stanisław Moniuszko, were recorded by Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra along with the soloists: Wioletta Chodowicz (soprano), Maria Jaskulska-Chrenowicz (soprano), Ewa Wolak (mezzosoprano), Sylwester Smulczyński (tenor), Robert Gierlach (baritone), Szymon Kobyliński (basso) and Opera and Philharmonic Choir prepared by Violetta Bielecka. The whole piece was conducted by Łukasz Borowicz. The album, which was the world phonographic premiere, was released by DUX label in October 2019.

Both cantatas refer to Lithuanian mythology and are based on “Witolorauda” – first part of the “Anafelias” epic poem by Józef Ignacy Kraszewski, who also wrote the libretto for “Milda”.

The Gramophone list of ten CDs of May include such albums as “Górecki – String Quartet No. 3/ Sonata for Two Violins” performed by Tippett Quartet (Naxos) and “Adès – Piano Concerto. Totentanz” played by Kirill Gerstein (piano) and Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Thomas Adès (DG).  

More details here: The best new classical albums: Editor’s Choice, May 2020