Celebrating Polish Classical Music with Acte Préalable Podcast

Fryderyk Chopin: Complete Works by Joanna Ławrynowicz

The Acte Préalable edition of "Chopin: Complete Works" is a monumental 17‑album series documenting every note Frédéric Chopin ever composed , performed by a single artist—an achievement unprecedented in Poland and rare in the world. It is the culmination of a lifelong relationship between Jan A. Jarnicki —producer of the series and founder of the Acte Préalable label—and the music of Frédéric Chopin. This connection reaches back not only to Jarnicki’s earliest memories, but deep into his family history. Chopin’s music accompanied him from childhood, beginning with the 1965 International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition, and later intertwined with family heritage when he learned that his great‑great‑grandfather, painter Antoni Kolberg, created the composer’s final portrait in Paris in 1848. For Jarnicki, Chopin has always been more than a national icon; he has been a constant presence.Jarnicki founded Acte Préalable with the mission of reviving forgotten Polish music. Over time, however, new encounters and evolving ambitions led him to expand that vision. In February 2005, during a quiet winter visit with his friend Arkadiusz Jędrasik, an idea emerged—audacious in scale and unprecedented in Poland: to record the complete works of Frédéric Chopin with a single Polish artist in time for the composer’s bicentenary.There was only one pianist Jarnicki believed capable of undertaking such a monumental task: the exceptional Joanna Ławrynowicz, already a trusted artistic partner of the label. When he presented the proposal—delivered with the solemnity of a grave announcement—her initial shock quickly gave way to enthusiasm. She accepted immediately, and the project officially began in April 2005.The journey was long and not without obstacles. Despite early momentum, unreliable collaborators made it impossible to meet the 2010 anniversary deadline. By spring of that year, nearly all works had been recorded except the songs and concertos. The orchestral works were completed in 2011, and the songs—the final missing element—were recorded in October 2019.Throughout the entire undertaking, Jarnicki personally produced and financed every recording . Although he sought support from both private and public institutions—including the Ministry of Culture and the National Frédéric Chopin Institute—his requests went unanswered. Undeterred, he continued independently, ultimately choosing March 1st, 2020, Chopin’s birthday, as the symbolic release date for the complete edition.This monumental project owes much to the generosity and dedication of many individuals. Special thanks are extended to Antoni Grudziński for granting permission to include excerpts from his book Frédéric Chopin: A Guide to His Life and Works in the album booklets. Deep gratitude is owed to Joanna Ławrynowicz, whose artistry, perseverance, and meticulous work made the cycle possible. Appreciation is also extended to Andrzej Gębski, Jarosław Domżał, and Adam Krzeszowiec for their contributions to the chamber recordings.The label further acknowledges the steadfast support of Arkadiusz Jędrasik, whose encouragement has accompanied not only this project but many of Acte Préalable’s recording and publishing initiatives. And finally, heartfelt thanks go to Magdalena Wolińska, whose unwavering support has been essential to the very existence of Acte Préalable.This 17‑album edition stands as a tribute—to Chopin, to Polish musical heritage, to the artists and friends who made it possible, and to Jan A. Jarnicki’s enduring belief that great music deserves to be preserved with devotion, integrity, and love. All music performed by Joanna Ławrynowicz (piano)Artistic director & producer: Jan A. JarnickiArt direction: Małgorzata Łoza-LipszycConsultant: Malcolm Henbury-BallanManagement: Magdalena WolińskaRecording engineers: Grzegorz Stec, Stanisław Bokowy, Piotr Grinholc, and Jacek Złotkowski

Alexandre Tansman: Musical Genius of Two Nations

Aleksandre Tansman (1897–1986) was a prodigiously talented Polish-born composer whose more than 300 works span operas, ballets, nine symphonies, concertos, chamber music and pedagogical pieces. Deeply rooted in his Jewish upbringing in Łódź—a city steeped in Polish, Jewish, German and Russian cultures—he wove Polish folk melodies, Jewish introspection and American dance rhythms into the crystalline forms of French neoclassicism. Early acclaim inPoland’s first national composition competition propelled him toParis in 1919, where under Maurice Ravel’s influence he refined a signature harmonic language of “skyscraper” chords and a rhythmic vocabulary of metrical contrasts and motoric drive, all the while preserving a lyrical warmth and structural elegance. During the interwar years Tansman became a true musical nomad. His 1932–33 world tour took him from American jazz salons—where he befriended Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and George Gershwin—to the courts of Emperor Hirohito and the ashrams of Mahatma Gandhi. Each encounterseeped into his music, enriching it with polyrhythmic complexity and global color. Yet as fascism spread he found his cosmopolitan dream shattered. He took French citizenship in 1938, went into hiding after the fall of France, and in 1941 escaped to Hollywood with help from Charlie Chaplin, Arturo Toscanini and Jascha Heifetz. In exile, Tansman scored films like Paris Underground—earning a 1946 Oscar nomination—while engaging in a lifelong dialogue with Stravinsky and Schoenberg that culminated in his authoritative study of the former. Returning to Paris in 1946, he faced a musical landscape dominated by Boulez and Stockhausen and a Polish homeland suspicious of émigrés. Undeterred, he turned inward to compose someof his most personal works and, in 1982, offered a mazurka toSolidarity leader Lech Wałęsa. Tansman’s legacy lies in hismasterful synthesis of tradition and innovation—a testament to the idea that the most universal art springs from the most personal longings, and that a composer can carry his homeland in his heart without ever being confined by its borders.

Magdalena Cynk: Toruń, planets, asteroids, Francisco Goya, Polish folk music, psychology, and history

The 3rd part of our "Celebrating Polish Classical Music with Acte Préalable" podcast is devoted to contemporary Polish composer Magdalena Cynk, who brilliantly bridges musical traditions with innovative approaches. She creates compositions that draw inspiration from diverse sources like astronomy, folk music, her hometown Toruń, and historical elements while emphasizing the human element in classical music. During this exclusive interview, she shared her personal journey as a female composer, her musical inspirations and techniques, as well as her perspectives on music and its future.

Katarzyna Dondalska: Coloratura Soprano Virtuoso's Extraordinary Musical Journey

This episode explores the remarkable career of Katarzyna Dondalska, one of today's most accomplished coloratura sopranos. From her early beginnings as a violin prodigy at age five to becoming an internationally acclaimed opera star, we trace her development through prestigious training at Germany's State Academy of Music in Würzburg, where she earned the elite 'Meisterklasse' diploma.Discover how Dondalska's exceptional vocal range and technical mastery led to finalist positions in renowned competitions including the ARD International Music Competition and Cardiff Singer of the World Festival. We examine her academic achievements, including her 2011 Doctorate from Gdańsk Music Academy, and her extensive performance history across the world's premier concert venues and opera houses.Join us for an inspiring look at this Polish-born artist's contributions to classical music through her recordings, broadcasts on major networks (ARD, BBC, RAI), and her ability to bring emotional depth to technically demanding repertoire. Dondalska's story represents the pinnacle of artistic dedication and musical excellence.

Wiktor Łabuński: Polish-American composer, pianist, and educator

Explore the remarkable life and legacy of Wiktor Łabuński (1895–1974), the influential Polish-American pianist, composer, and educator who helped shape classical music education in the United States. From his formative years in Poland to his transformative role at the Kansas City Conservatory, discover how Łabuński bridged European traditions with American musical development.This episode highlights his compositions, teaching philosophy, and the lasting influence he had on generations of musicians. Join us for an inspiring look at an underappreciated musical giant whose vision and leadership connected two continents through the power of art and education.