Młynarski for Christmas

Symphony in F Major, op. 14 Polonia by Emil Młynarski is the newest phonographic release by Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded under Łukasz Borowicz at a concert held on 11 October 2024 at A. Mickiewicz University Auditorium in Poznań, Poland, the piece has been published by DUX as CD and LP.

Łukasz Borowicz writes about Emil Młynarski and his activity: The role Emil Młynarski plays in the history of Polish music cannot be overestimated. The talented conductor was instrumental in the founding and advancement of the Warsaw Philharmonic (he managed the society in its opening years, between 1901 and 1905), as well as in the development of Warsaw’s Wielki Theatre (a collaborator for a number of years, he was manager of the institution between 1919 and 1929).

Indefatigable promoter of Polish music abroad, prior to the establishment of a career in conducting, Emil Młynarski was a recognised violin virtuoso. It was also composing that constituted an immensely important part of his work; he penned pieces in almost all genres. The present recording of Symphony in F Major, op. 14 Polonia was inspired by a desire to promote one of the most interesting symphonies of its time, an apex achievement (side by side with Karol Szymanowski’s Symphony No. 2) of the post-Romantic vein in Polish music, and, simultaneously, one to complement the picture of the early-20th century Polish symphonic music.

Not only CDs, but also a limited collector’s edition of vinyl LPs hit the shelves right in time for Christmas. Both can be purchased at special promotional prices in the hallway of A. Mickiewicz University Auditorium prior to (and during the intermission in) the concert “Wieniawski przed Gwiazdką” (Wieniawski Before Christmas) held on 13 December 2024.

The CD “Emil Młynarski, Symphony in F Major, Op. 14 Polonia” is also available at “Pasja” music store in Poznań.

Co-funded by the Culture Promotion Fund, an earmarked state fund of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, under programme “Muzyczny ślad” (The Musical Trace) operated by National Institute for Music and Dance.