Wieniawski Violin Concertos 1 & 2: A Polish Gem That Still Shines (1996)
Alright, let’s talk about this little powerhouse of an album. Wieniawski Violin Concertos 1 & 2 isn’t your run-of-the-mill classical record—it’s more like a sonic love letter to violin virtuosos everywhere. Released in '96 by CD Accord and PolyGram Polska, it brings together Piotr Pławner on violin, Bartłomiej Nizioł as the concertmaster, Sinfonia Varsovia for orchestral muscle, and Grzegorz Nowak waving his baton with finesse. Oh yeah, and Henryk Wieniawski? The dude who wrote these concertos? Total genius.
Now, I gotta say, there are tracks here that just stick to you like gum under a shoe. Take “Rondo. Allegro Giocoso” from Concerto No. 2—this one’s pure joy bottled up in five minutes. It starts off all playful, almost teasing you with its quick-fire notes and zippy rhythms. But then Pławner comes in, and man, does he make that violin sing! There’s something cheeky yet deeply heartfelt about how he plays it. You can tell he’s not just hitting the right notes; he’s telling a story. By the time the rondo wraps up, you’re left grinning like an idiot because it’s impossible not to feel lighter after hearing it.
Then there’s “Romance. Andante Non Troppo.” If the Rondo is the life of the party, this track is the quiet moment when everyone steps outside to look at the stars. It’s slow, tender, and dripping with emotion. The strings swell gently behind Pławner’s solo line, which feels almost like a whispered confession. This piece reminds me why classical music still matters—it doesn’t need words to break your heart or lift your spirits.
What makes this album stand out is how alive it sounds. Sure, it was recorded back in ’96, but the energy feels fresh. Maybe it’s the polish (pun totally intended) of Sinfonia Varsovia or Nowak’s tight control over the dynamics. Whatever it is, it works.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album feels like stepping into another world—a world where time slows down and every note carries weight. And honestly? That’s rare these days. So if you’re looking for some high-quality ear candy that won’t cost you a kidney, give this Polish treasure a spin. Who knows? You might find yourself humming along to a concerto while stuck in traffic. Wouldn’t that be wild?
