Ignacy Jan Paderewski ： Polish Fantasy Op.19

Paderewski’s Polish Fantasy Op.19 is a work with a concerto-like character that makes full use of the sonority of the piano and orchestra. Brilliant virtuoso passages contrast with singing, lyrical melodies, while powerful climaxes and delicate expressions alternate to carry the music forward. The listener should also attend to the rhythms and gestures that suggest a Polish character. In each section, it is important to bring the principal melody clearly to the fore and carefully shape its exchanges with the accompaniment. Rather than allowing virtuosity to dominate, attention to the breathing of the phrases and changes in sonority helps reveal the poetry within the work’s brilliance.