Chopin University Press - Palester, Kisielewski, Régamey: Paris Polonais (2024) Hi-Res

Stefan Kisielewski (1911–1991), Konstanty Régamey (1907–1982) and Roman Palester (1907–1989) belonged to one generation of artists. Apart from music, all three of them were excellent writers and all loved Paris, where they spent a lot of time before the war, deepening their education. They are one of the most important Polish musical emigrants from Paris in the 20th century. Their attitude expressed a deep love of freedom. For each of them, the idea of freedom, equality and fraternity also meant deep disagreement with the Soviet enslavement of Poland after 1945. Their free, independent voice can also be heard in music.

Three string quartets, recorded by the Meccore String Quartet - one of the most interesting and best quartets of its generation, share neoclassical features. In each of the quartets, however, this feature gains a different, individual face. Lightness of melodic invention, original harmony, flowing narrative, transparent texture and clear formal structure are the features that best reflect the character of Kisielewski's youthful String Quartet. The one-movement Palestra String Quartet No. 2, characterized by a dense, polyphonic texture, flexible melodic lines with a nostalgic expression and emotional intensity, is one of the most outstanding works of this genre in Polish music of the 20th century. Régamey's Quatuor à cordes is thoroughly modern music, full of seriousness, objective in expression and extremely focused.

The Meccore String Quartet's interpretations of the Kisielewski, Palester and Régamey quartets have been awarded many times (including a nomination for the Corypheus of Polish Music). The album Paris Polonais (recorded by Katarzyna Rakowiecka-Rojsza) is therefore a guarantee of great music performed perfectly.