1 1

Jan Wachowski - Hevel [CD]

Jan Wachowski - Hevel [CD]

£16.98
£16.98
Sale Sold out

'Hevel' is the key word that links all the pieces on this album. It comes from the Hebrew version of the Old Testament Book of Kohelet (Book of Ecclesiastes). Even though in most translations the word is rendered as 'vanity,' this does not fully convey its essence. For 'hevel' in Hebrew means 'vapour,' 'smoke,' or 'transience.' It also has a deeper meaning referring to transcendence, the tole of time and distancing oneself from life. Indeed, everything is bound to disappear one day, like vapour or breath.

The works selected for the recording refer to the literal translation of the word 'hevel,' that is to 'transience,' Jan Wachowski has in mind here Milosz Magin's Preludes, his own Variations in C major, and, in a certain sense, Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Sonatina.

But 'hevel' has another deep meaning which refers to the passing of pain, bitterness or sorrow. This permeates Weinberg's Sonata No. 4, which provides the album's emotional and expressive peak. It is important to recall here that in 1953, prior to composing the work, Weinberg spent three months in a Soviet prison. It was thanks to the good offices of Dmitri Shostakovich, coupled with Stalin's death, that the composer was freed. The time of imprisonment in inhumane conditions left an indelible mark on Weinberg. Despair, fear and pain, as well as hope - these are emotions that can be found in Sonata No. 4. When despair and breakdown come, Kohelet has the advice: 'There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.'

The word 'hevel' also brings to mind transcendence and the passing of time. Alsephina, Thiaki, and Kraz are the three of Pawel Lukaszewski's Fifteen Nocturnes that constitute a musical 'astral cycle.' They were written on the basis of earlier choral works, mostly on religious themes. All three are bound to transport listeners for a quarter of an hour into a starry night of contemplation. These pieces reflect in a subtle way the meaning of the word 'hevel.'

The idea behind programming the album was to highlight the notion of transience. The pieces are arranged in chronological order. Having started with Magin's Five Preludes, Wachowski gradually moves to works by 21st-century composers. The works by Magin and Weinberg are characterised by their dissonant writing as well as, in large measure, their harmonic connections that are not based on the traditional major-minor system. Even though they contain melody, there are more elements of avant-garde music in them than in Lukaszewski's Nocturnes or my Variations. These last two compositions are grounded in the obvious, albeit expanded, major- -minor system, and in their own way stand in opposition to avant-garde trends. The notion of transience in this context is the departure from the compositional experiments that were popular in the 20th century, experiments that were aimed at shocking listeners with new sound combinations and rejecting musical tradition.

'Chasing after the wind' which often permeates our daily life is not going to guarantee lasting happiness. Wachowski's intention is to make listeners pause for a while to allow time for a musical reflection.

View full details
Description

'Hevel' is the key word that links all the pieces on this album. It comes from the Hebrew version of the Old Testament Book of Kohelet (Book of Ecclesiastes). Even though in most translations the word is rendered as 'vanity,' this does not fully convey its essence. For 'hevel' in Hebrew means 'vapour,' 'smoke,' or 'transience.' It also has a deeper meaning referring to transcendence, the tole of time and distancing oneself from life. Indeed, everything is bound to disappear one day, like vapour or breath.

The works selected for the recording refer to the literal translation of the word 'hevel,' that is to 'transience,' Jan Wachowski has in mind here Milosz Magin's Preludes, his own Variations in C major, and, in a certain sense, Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Sonatina.

But 'hevel' has another deep meaning which refers to the passing of pain, bitterness or sorrow. This permeates Weinberg's Sonata No. 4, which provides the album's emotional and expressive peak. It is important to recall here that in 1953, prior to composing the work, Weinberg spent three months in a Soviet prison. It was thanks to the good offices of Dmitri Shostakovich, coupled with Stalin's death, that the composer was freed. The time of imprisonment in inhumane conditions left an indelible mark on Weinberg. Despair, fear and pain, as well as hope - these are emotions that can be found in Sonata No. 4. When despair and breakdown come, Kohelet has the advice: 'There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.'

The word 'hevel' also brings to mind transcendence and the passing of time. Alsephina, Thiaki, and Kraz are the three of Pawel Lukaszewski's Fifteen Nocturnes that constitute a musical 'astral cycle.' They were written on the basis of earlier choral works, mostly on religious themes. All three are bound to transport listeners for a quarter of an hour into a starry night of contemplation. These pieces reflect in a subtle way the meaning of the word 'hevel.'

The idea behind programming the album was to highlight the notion of transience. The pieces are arranged in chronological order. Having started with Magin's Five Preludes, Wachowski gradually moves to works by 21st-century composers. The works by Magin and Weinberg are characterised by their dissonant writing as well as, in large measure, their harmonic connections that are not based on the traditional major-minor system. Even though they contain melody, there are more elements of avant-garde music in them than in Lukaszewski's Nocturnes or my Variations. These last two compositions are grounded in the obvious, albeit expanded, major- -minor system, and in their own way stand in opposition to avant-garde trends. The notion of transience in this context is the departure from the compositional experiments that were popular in the 20th century, experiments that were aimed at shocking listeners with new sound combinations and rejecting musical tradition.

'Chasing after the wind' which often permeates our daily life is not going to guarantee lasting happiness. Wachowski's intention is to make listeners pause for a while to allow time for a musical reflection.

Track Listing

Magin: Five Preludes Allegro

Allegretto tranquillo

Allegro agitato

Andante

Prestissimo

Weinberg: Sonatina, Op. 49 Allegro leggiero

Adagietto lugubre

Allegretto

Sonata No. 4, Op. 56 Allegro

Allegro

Adagio

Allegro

Lukaszewski: Three Nocturnes Alsephina

Thiaki

Kraz

Wachowski: Variations in C Major Tema. Largo e dolce

Variation I. Andantino con moto

Variation II. Presto con vigore

Variation III. Moderato, alla marcia

Variation IV. Misterioso e molto rubato

Variation V. Presto e capriccioso

Variation VI. Andante molto affettuoso

Variation VII. Con moto e leggiero

Variation VIII. Andante ma non troppo

Variation IX. Largo e sentimentale

Variation X. Vivo e molto energico

Details
  • Genre: Classical
  • Product Type: AUDIO CD
  • Barcode: 5902547020204
  • Release Date: February 07, 2025
Delivery and Returns
Dispatch Information: Dispatch times vary by item and items are only dispatched on UK working days – not weekends or UK Bank Holidays. Items marked "Dispatched Same Day" will be dispatched on the day of purchase if bought before 2pm GMT. "Dispatched Same Day" items bought after 2pm GMT or on a non-working day will be dispatched on the next working day. We aim to dispatch all other items within 3-5 working days.

Delivery Information: We aim to deliver your order as quickly and efficiently as possible. All UK orders are dispatched using Royal Mail 48 Tracked service and the standard delivery times are 2-3 business days. Please note that delivery times for overseas orders will vary depending on your location and the shipping option you choose during checkout.

Shipping Costs: We offer free delivery on all UK orders and free worldwide delivery on orders over £15.

Tracking Your Order: All UK orders are tracked. Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking number via email. You can use this tracking number to monitor the progress of your delivery on the Royal Mail Track and Trace website.

Returns and Exchanges: We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you are not happy with your order, you may return it within 28 days of the item being dispatched for a refund or exchange. Please note the following guidelines:
- Items must be returned in their original condition and packaging – items that have been opened or had shrink wrap removed are not eligible for return or refund.
- Make sure to include your order number in the returned package.

How to Initiate a Return: To initiate a return or exchange, please contact our customer service team. The team is available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the process.

Refund Processing: Refunds will be processed as soon as we receive your item back into our warehouse. Replacements are subject to availability and if a replacement is not available, a refund will be issued.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team or check out our FAQ’s. We're here to help ensure your shopping experience is enjoyable and hassle-free. Thank you for choosing Chalkys!