This new release from DUX presents a collection of recordings commemorating Jewish composers active mainly before World War II. Their music represents various stylistic trends of their era and was inspired by numerous ideas.

The Hebrew Melody for violin and piano, op.33, by Joseph Achron (1886–1943) resulted from his fascination with the religious music of Ashkenazi Jews, while the Sonata for violin and piano by Joachim Mendelson (1887–1943), the recording of which is also the Polish recording premiere, reveals neoclassical interests of its author, which is also the case of the Sonata for cello and piano by Szymon Laks (1901–1983).

The Capriccio by Józef Koffler (1896–1944) is an avant-garde composition through and through, using the dodecaphonic technique combined with a neoclassical form. The recording culminates in a contemporary piece written specifically for a concert commemorating Jewish musicians murdered during the war, which took place at the Washington Holocaust Museum. It is the Piano Trio "Silent Voices" by Benjamin Lees (1924–2010).

On the album the pieces are performed by the Art Chamber Ensemble composed of Julita Przybylska-Nowak (piano), Agnieszka Kołodziej (cello) and Jarosław Pietrzak (violin).

Reviews

The Art Chamber Ensemble plays with admirable assurance throughout, either collectively or in the sonatas […] the programme is finely recorded, very decently documented, and warmly played.

MusicWeb International