Jan Wanski: Symphonies

Wishing to return to the rich musical traditions of the city, an ensemble specialising in historically informed performance Capella Musica Gnesnensis was established in Gniezno in 2023. The main objective of the orchestra is to present the compositions preserved in the Gniezno Archdiocesan Archive, with the focus on promoting the works of Polish musicians. The ensemble performs music from the old Gniezno repertoire on copies of instruments from the time when it was created, i.e. from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Musica Gnesnensis phonographic series, which is to include works preserved in Gniezno, constitutes an important element of our ensemble's activities. Capella Musica Gnesnensis comprises outstanding Polish instrumentalists, specialists in historically informed performance, graduates of Polish and foreign music universities. The material from Jan Wanski's album Symfonie includes Sinfonie z Owertury Operowej No 1. z Opery Pasterz nad Wisla (Symphonies From Opera Overtures No. 1 from the The Shepard by the Vistula Opera), Sinfonie z Owertury Operowej No 2. z Opery Kmiotek (Symphonies From Opera Overtures from No. 2 The Peasant Opera) and Synfonie ex D. This is the first recording of these compositions that follows historical performance practices. While Sinfonia z Owertury Operowej No 1. z Opery Pasterz nad Wisla and Sinfonia z Owertury Operowej No 2. z Opery Kmiotek were recorded in 1968 by the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Robert Satanowski, the recording of Synfonie ex D in this album is the piece's world premiere. This unique interpretation by Capella Musica Gnesnensis musicians allows the figure of Jan Wanski and his symphonic works to be shown in a new perspective.