ALFONS SZCZERBIŃSKI (1858–1895)

COMPLETE PIANO WORKS • 1

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GIORGIO KOUKL

‘Eastern Europe had its tremendous share of wars, disasters and looting. It's a small miracle that some of the scores from the 19th century have survived from that part of the world. In a monastery in Poland, I discovered this astonishing composer: Alfons Szczerbiński. A few of his manuscripts had escaped the fire and destruction of war. His premature death, at only 37 years old, interrupted a compositional career which would surely have seen him rise to be compared with the great names of his time. His melodic invention, rigorous form and a surprisingly fresh creativity definitely deserves to be rediscovered today.’ – Giorgio Koukl