2014 marks the centenary of Polish-British composer Andrzej Panufnik. Here the Brodsky Quartet joins in this year of reminiscence and celebration with Messages, a recording of works both by Andrzej and his daughter Roxanna Panufnik.

String sextets begin and end the disc. In the first, Modlitwa, both father and daughter have composed sections, Roxana Panufnik having contributed to what was originally a vocal work and subsequently made this sextet arrangement.

Andrzej Panufnik’s Song to the Virgin Mary also began life in a vocal setting, for a cappella chorus, and was dedicated to his wife, Camilla. Andrzej Panufnik’s three string quartets showcase his innovative and expressive musical language. The first contrasts dynamic conversations between individual instruments with beautiful unified quartet textures. String Quartet No. 2 - Messages is inspired by childhood memories of listening to the eerie sounds of a wooden telegraph pole in the wind. String Quartet No. 3 - Wycinanki takes its title from a traditional Polish folk art formed of intricately cut paper. Its movements, five miniature studies, each represent a uniquely shaped and coloured paper-cut from a different corner of Poland.

Separating these quartets are the two movements of Memories of My Father. Commissioned by the Brodsky Quartet especially for the centenary, it represents a highly personal reflection from Roxana Panufnik on the life and music of her father.

Track listing:

Panufnik, A:

String Quartet No. 1

String Quartet No. 2, ‘Messages’

String Quartet No. 3, ‘Wycinanki’

Song to the Virgin Mary for string sextet

with Robert Smissen (viola) & Richard May (cello)

Panufnik, R:

Memories of my Father

premiere recording

Modlitwa (sextet)

premiere recording in this version

with Robert Smissen (viola) & Richard May (cello)