Artur Malawski – Siciliana and Rondo on themes by Feliks Janiewicz

Artur Malawski (1904–1957) was a distinguished Polish composer and conductor whose work, while rooted in the national tradition, was distinguished by its innovative approach to harmony and form. Siciliana and Rondo on themes by Feliks Janiewicz are works inspired by the work of Feliks Janiewicz (1762–1848), an eminent Polish violinist and composer known primarily for his classical works. By drawing on Janiewicz's themes, Malawski uniquely combines the past with the modern musical language of the 20th century.

Feliks Janiewicz, a leading figure of the Polish violin school in the 18th and 19th centuries, developed a career in Great Britain for years, gaining international acclaim. Malawski, building on his themes, pays homage to tradition while transforming it into his own, original musical language. Siciliana and Rondo combine Janiewicz's classical elegance with Malawski's expressive, often surprising solutions, employing rhythmic variety, innovative harmony, and dynamic contrast.

The first movement, Siciliana, is lyrical and reflective, typical of this musical form. Maintained at a moderate tempo and swaying rhythm, it conveys a calm, almost dance-like mood, enriched by harmonious variations. Malawski brings out melancholic sonorities and subtle dynamic contrasts, paying homage to classical simplicity.

The Rondo, the second part of the piece, brings a distinctly lively edge to the piece. It is characterized by a more energetic tempo and a wealth of rhythmic variations, in which Malawski weaves in Janiewicz's motifs, creating music with a dynamic narrative.

Siciliana and Rondo on themes by Feliks Janiewicz exemplify a style that blends the past with the modern. Inspired by classical models, Malawski not only revives the themes of early Polish music but also demonstrates that classical ideas can find new life and context in contemporary musical language.