To explore the sonic, expressive, and technical possibilities of the oboe, it is worth turning to the works of 20th-century Polish composers, who were particularly eager to explore the qualities of this instrument. On 15 December 2025, the album 20th-Century Polish Music for Oboe and Piano (DUX 2214) will be released by DUX record label.
The album features a collection of works for oboe and piano that are rooted in neoclassicism while also reflecting extensive explorations of sound. They are united by clarity of form, economy of expressive means, and frequent inspirations drawn from folklore. In most of the pieces, the piano is placed on an equal footing with the oboe, engaging in a brilliant dialogue with it. Both artists—Justyna Stanek (principal oboist of the NFM Orchestra) and Monika Kruk—outstanding chamber musicians associated with the Wrocław Academy of Music—find themselves perfectly at home in this repertoire.
Despite these similarities, each composition also has its own distinctive character. In Kisielewski’s work, rhythm dominates and a grotesque quality comes to the fore; in the music of Szalonek and Świerzyński (whose Kashubian Fantasy receives its world premiere recording on this album), timbral elements and folk inspirations prevail. In the works of Bacewicz and Szałowski, folklore is embedded within a classical sonata form, featuring both lyrical motifs and the rhythms of national dances. This is music in which virtuosic brilliance intertwines with echoes of folk melodies, the final breaths of neo-Romanticism meet innovative harmonies, and surprising narrative turns contrast with moments of nostalgic calm. The album also offers a portrait of musical trends in the first postwar decade of Polish composition, reflecting composers’ searches for identity and individual style.
The album will be available from 15 December at Empik stores, selected music retailers, and at www.dux.pl as well as on all major streaming platforms:
https://lnk.fuga.com/justynastanekmonikakruk_20thcenturypolishmusicforoboeandpiano
Press release
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC
