 Le label Acte préalable continue avec bonheur de nous faire redécouvrir des compositeurs oubliés. En ce qui concerne le Polonais Raul Koczalski, il s’agit du septième volume qui lui est consacré et le deuxième sur sa musique de chambre qui en comptera au moins deux autres à venir. Enfant prodige, pianiste, compositeur et concertiste prolifiques, il fut éduqué musicalement par ses parents puis notamment par Anton Rubinstein et Karol Mikuli qui lui fit apprécier la musique de Chopin dont il devint un des interprètes les plus reconnus. Compositeur d’œuvres symphoniques, scéniques, vocales et de musique de chambre, beaucoup d’entre elles ne furent pas publiées et peu jouées. C’est le cas des trois trios (1914, 1916, 1918) présentés ici. Le style de Koczalski s’inscrit dans la continuité d’un romantisme tardif gracieux. Les œuvres ne manquent pas de charme faisant preuve d’une belle écriture maitrisée, sans exubérance, accordant à chaque instrument une place d’importance dans le discours s’échangeant les rôles entre mélodie, accompagnement et dialogues. Enjouée, populaire, dansante, joliment mélancolique, au lyrisme délicat, énergique et tendue parfois, toujours joliment mesurée, chaque pièce séduit le mélomane avec ses allures de musique de salon. (Laurent Mineau) Raul Koczalski was a phenomenal piano virtuoso whose career began when he was still a child. He came from Warsaw, where he got his feet wet while exhibiting his unique talent, which was not exclusive to the piano. After these youthful performances he was often called the “Polish Mozart”, an accurate nickname since his first steps as a composer took place when he was only five years old. He was the so called “wonder child” of Polish pianism. As a young boy he incited amazement in the hearts of audiences around the world… except in Poland. In his homeland, renowned critics including J. Kleczynski and A. Polinski, were very sceptical about the performances of the young virtuoso. Research concerning Koczalski’s legacy revealed, that as a six year old he already possessed over 40 works of his own. He perfected his piano skills under the guidance of Anton Rubinstein and Karol Mikuli. By 1900 he had already performed around 1000 times, often playing his own compositions. Between 1903 and 1907 he reduced his virtuoso career in favour of a creative one. (...) As a composer Koczalski composed with great ease; despite his frequent concert travels he composed over 150 opus, covering every genre. Amongst them are stage works (his opera Raymond was very successful, and was performed 147 times in various European cities), symphonies, concertos, as well as a rich array of chamber music and piano solo works. Alas, a few were ever published.(...)
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