Marcin Murawski ... violist

Carla Rees: Review of CD François DEVIENNE (1759-1803) - Six Duos Concertants for Flute and Viola Op. 5 (www.musicweb-international.com www June 2011) Devienne was a French bassoonist and flute-player, as well as a notable composer. He wrote mostly for his own instruments, but also composed operas. He met Mozart on several occasions, and the influence is clearly noticeable in the compositional style. Deviennes set of six duos for flute and viola each comprise two movements, which broadly follow a fast-slow-fast pattern, with slow contrasting sections incorporated within the two movement form. The pieces were first published in 1780 and are one of only a small number of works written for this combination of instruments. The microphones seem to be placed quite close to the instruments, and the viola is sometimes heavier in the balance than the flute. The ensemble playing is good overall, with some enjoyable interplay between the parts. Deviennes writing allows each instrument to have an equal role, which was unusual at the time, when one instrument would usually take on a solo role with the other part accompanying. The melodic lines are elegant, and the virtuoso moments add some wonderful energy to the music. Id like to hear more contrast of dynamic at times; the mic placement makes the instruments feel quite intense. Perhaps also there should be more variety in tone colour, especially in the viola. However, the music is full of light and shade, and each of the duos takes on its own character. The third duo is a particular favourite of mine, with a lovely sense of dialogue and some enjoyable minor key colours. The second movement allows moments of virtuosity for both instruments, and the contrast in tone between the flute and viola gives a sense of breadth to the ensemble sound. The fourth duo contrasts well, with its expressive slow opening, played here with warmth and well-rounded phrasing. The sixth duo opens with an unusually open texture, with double-stopping on the viola, before settling into a melody and accompaniment figure. The works are well structured, with a sense of consistency of style throughout. The variations and minor key sections are inventive and the major key melodies are lyrical and bright. Murawska and Murawski perform with well considered phrasing and a sense of classical style. Dariusz Kacprzak, Associate Director, National Museum in Szczecin, January 2010, after the opening concert of the Academy of Ancient "...Your viola artistry and teaching abilities made the concert of Johann Sebastian Bach music a complete, special evening. At the same time - please accept my congratulations on newly released CD, fulfilled with virtuosity, rarely performed compositions of Johann Nepomuk Hummel" Review about CD "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Flute Quartets", 2007, Marek Zaradniak: "...The idea of recording those three Flute Quartets was invented by two families from Poland and USA, as their fates were bounded in Poznań since years: Ewa Murawska and her brother Marcin, and Blanka Bednarz and her housband Cheung Chau...In their interpretation Mozart works sounds lightly, delicately and yet very expressive. For the clarity of interpretation goes well balancer accompagnament... and put in the sound that instrument, which has a melodic line or interesting counterpoint. It can be heard, that during this recording all musicians had the knowledge of what elements they want to put in the spot, and in what else find some joy and musical joke invented and written by composer. For the first one belongs: proper articulation, dainty and grateful flute phrasing, correct intonation and well balanced dynamics. To the second one - finessed phrase endings, surprising instrumental manufacturing or contemplative character which dominated over the whole piece. This record, in this interpretation can be listened with real pleasure; almost physically feeling how the musicians play their - sometimes sophisticated! - parts... This CD should be in every musical collection..." Jolanta Brózda review in "Gazeta Wyborcza" after solo concert with Sinfonietta Polonia at Hotel Novotel Poznań Centrum (14th May 2006), soloist soloist in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola, k. 364: "... It's good, that among the crowd of violins there was also place for their bigger sister viola. ... on the Sinfonietta Polonia concert . What I remembered was the sound of viola connected with violin in W.A. Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major. On the violin played Blanka Bednarz, on viola - Marcin Murawski. 18th century viola was beautiful: with a dark color of honey and with so sweet, velvet sound... I listened with pleasure to viola alt under the Murawski fingers, and his dialogues with violin..." Zbigniew Mucha review in Muzyka21, national monthly classical music magazine: "...musicians, connected with Sinfonietta Polonia, were also the performers of only one chamber music concert during Poznań Mozart Festival in 2006 - Duo@trio@quartetto (Ewa Murawska - flute, Blanka Bednarz - violin, Marcin Murawski - viola, Cheung Chau - violoncello)... both concerts (including the final concert with Sinfonietta Polonia under direction of Cheung Chau) met with great recognition from the audience..." Andrzej Chylewski review in "Głos Wielkopolski" after solo concert with Sinfonietta Polonia at Hotel Poznań Novotel Centrum (14th May 2006), soloist in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola, k. 364: "... yet Marcin Murawski's viola sounded very interesting..." Antonin Scherrer, Managing chief of Swiss label Claves Records: "Thanks a lot to send me your music a few months ago - it was a real pleasure to listen to it. You've a great and unusual personnality and should be soon rewarded for your talent" Andrzej Chylewski review in "Głos Wielkopolski" after Sinfonietta Polonia concert at Spanish Hall in National Museum in Poznań (22nd March 2005), leader of the viola section: ".... in Mieczysław Karłowicz Serenade for string orchestra, where the cello and the viola sections sounded very jointly... in recklessnessly played Beethoven's 1st Symphony... managed to achieve plenty of good symphonic, and plenty of musical cooperation. Applause from the audience in the Spanish Hall have certified this." Letter of recommendation from professor Claus Myrup, Royal Jutland Academy of Music Aarhus, Danmark 2004 "It has been a great pleasure for me to have Marcin Murawski in my violaclass at The Royal Academy of Music. Mr. Murawski is a very fine musician with lots of energy and expression in his playing. He always shows enormously enthusiasm and has a wide knowledge about music. I'm sure that he is not only a fine violist, but also an inspiring teacher for his students." Review of professor Janusz Pisarski (Academy of Music Cracow, Poland) on doctorate recital at Academy of Music Katowice, Poland - February of 2004 "... performed I. Pleyel Concerto with great accuracy and precision, correct phrasing and with logic and consequent understanding of the matter of this music... In R. Schumann's piece tried to vary the mood of every each movement, what he had done superbly... Interpretation of P. Hindemith Sonata seemed to me highly interesting; seized myself with authenticity and enormous vigor of playing..." Review of recital performed as soloist with Koszalin Symphony Orchestra in Cathedral in Koszalin during 37th International Organ Festival in Koszalin, Poland, 25th July 2003 "...yet solo parts with a bit thinner orchestrations allowed us to taste beautiful, delicate sound of viola and very good playing of soloist..." Letter of recommendation of professor Donald Maurice, Massey University College of Music Wellington, New Zealand, 27th June 2003 "...Your playing demonstrates a superior command of the instrument and a mature, sensitive and refined musicianship. Your repertoire list also demonstrates a broad coverage of styles, nationalities and periods..." Opinion of m.m. Brian Lee, Registered Suzuki Instructor, of Saint Petersburg, Florida USA, 4 January 2003 "...Mr. Murawski shows a technical confidence which enables him to play any repertoire he chooses, fearlessly. More importantly, his performances are not copies of anyone else... We violist are blessed to have artist such as he to represent our instrument..." Letter of recommendation of professor John Krakenberger, Royal Academy of Music Madrid, Spain, 8th November 2002 "...Mr. Murawski shows a thorough preparation, his technique is well developed, and his intonation is, on the whole, excellent... I firmly believe that he will be developing towards a good professional career..." Review of cd from Michael Kimber, Professor of Viola, School of Music, The University of Southern Mississippi USA, April 2003 (soloist) "...your Pleyel (Concerto in D) recording was especially impressive; you play this with a lot of style and character, and the orchestra ("Amadeus" Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, conductor A. Duczmal) is quite good also..." Internet magazine of Royal Music Conservatory in Ghent, 15th February 2002 (soloist) "...your interpretation of Corelli and Bach told me enough: I will be glad to work with you - prof. Leo De Neve, viola class..." Letter form Swedish Royal Embassy in Poland, 20th January 2002 (soloist) "...with words of respect from Royal Swedish Embassy..." Second Channel of Polish TV, 3rd June 2001 - (Author and performer of the music score to the radio audition which has won the Grand Prix) "... there are no weak points in this audition... and the music and performance is very good..." Energetyk Poznański, magazine from July 2000, (soloist with Polish Chamber Orchestra "Amadeus" conductor Agnieszka Duczmal) "... very talented young teacher from our Academy of Music..." Gazeta Wyborcza, 16th June 2000 (soloist with Polish Chamber Orchestra "Amadeus" conductor Agnieszka Duczmal) "... high quality of playing ... the highest abilities..." Ruch Muzyczny,17th May 1998 (with Agutti Quartet) "of interpretation and easiness and joy of playing... subtle sensuality and beautiful pale of sound" Glos Wielkopolski, 25th November 1997 (with Agutti Quartet) "temperaments of youth ...able to strike with characteristic grace of sound, to plan emotions and depths of color... able with youth temperament enjoy themselves and the public..." The Washington Post, CD review from 28th April 1996 (with Tutti e Solo) "...beautiful piece of Polish music...with small but proficient chamber music group Tutti e Solo..."

Carla Rees: Review of CD François DEVIENNE (1759-1803) - Six Duos Concertants for Flute and Viola Op. 5 (www.musicweb-international.com www June 2011)
Devienne was a French bassoonist and flute-player, as well as a notable composer. He wrote mostly for his own instruments, but also composed operas. He met Mozart on several occasions, and the influence is clearly noticeable in the compositional style.
Deviennes set of six duos for flute and viola each comprise two movements, which broadly follow a fast-slow-fast pattern, with slow contrasting sections incorporated within the two movement form. The pieces were first published in 1780 and are one of only a small number of works written for this combination of instruments.
The microphones seem to be placed quite close to the instruments, and the viola is sometimes heavier in the balance than the flute. The ensemble playing is good overall, with some enjoyable interplay between the parts. Deviennes writing allows each instrument to have an equal role, which was unusual at the time, when one instrument would usually take on a solo role with the other part accompanying. The melodic lines are elegant, and the virtuoso moments add some wonderful energy to the music. Id like to hear more contrast of dynamic at times; the mic placement makes the instruments feel quite intense. Perhaps also there should be more variety in tone colour, especially in the viola. However, the music is full of light and shade, and each of the duos takes on its own character.
The third duo is a particular favourite of mine, with a lovely sense of dialogue and some enjoyable minor key colours. The second movement allows moments of virtuosity for both instruments, and the contrast in tone between the flute and viola gives a sense of breadth to the ensemble sound. The fourth duo contrasts well, with its expressive slow opening, played here with warmth and well-rounded phrasing. The sixth duo opens with an unusually open texture, with double-stopping on the viola, before settling into a melody and accompaniment figure.
The works are well structured, with a sense of consistency of style throughout. The variations and minor key sections are inventive and the major key melodies are lyrical and bright. Murawska and Murawski perform with well considered phrasing and a sense of classical style.

Dariusz Kacprzak, Associate Director, National Museum in Szczecin, January 2010, after the opening concert of the Academy of Ancient
"...Your viola artistry and teaching abilities made the concert of Johann Sebastian Bach music a complete, special evening. At the same time - please accept my congratulations on newly released CD, fulfilled with virtuosity, rarely performed compositions of Johann Nepomuk Hummel"

Review about CD "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Flute Quartets", 2007, Marek Zaradniak:
"...The idea of recording those three Flute Quartets was invented by two families from Poland and USA, as their fates were bounded in Poznań since years: Ewa Murawska and her brother Marcin, and Blanka Bednarz and her housband Cheung Chau...In their interpretation Mozart works sounds lightly, delicately and yet very expressive. For the clarity of interpretation goes well balancer accompagnament... and put in the sound that instrument, which has a melodic line or interesting counterpoint. It can be heard, that during this recording all musicians had the knowledge of what elements they want to put in the spot, and in what else find some joy and musical joke invented and written by composer. For the first one belongs: proper articulation, dainty and grateful flute phrasing, correct intonation and well balanced dynamics. To the second one - finessed phrase endings, surprising instrumental manufacturing or contemplative character which dominated over the whole piece. This record, in this interpretation can be listened with real pleasure; almost physically feeling how the musicians play their - sometimes sophisticated! - parts... This CD should be in every musical collection..."

Jolanta Brózda review in "Gazeta Wyborcza" after solo concert with Sinfonietta Polonia at Hotel Novotel Poznań Centrum (14th May 2006), soloist soloist in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola, k. 364:
"... It's good, that among the crowd of violins there was also place for their bigger sister viola. ... on the Sinfonietta Polonia concert . What I remembered was the sound of viola connected with violin in W.A. Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major. On the violin played Blanka Bednarz, on viola - Marcin Murawski. 18th century viola was beautiful: with a dark color of honey and with so sweet, velvet sound... I listened with pleasure to viola alt under the Murawski fingers, and his dialogues with violin..."

Zbigniew Mucha review in Muzyka21, national monthly classical music magazine:
"...musicians, connected with Sinfonietta Polonia, were also the performers of only one chamber music concert during Poznań Mozart Festival in 2006 - Duo@trio@quartetto (Ewa Murawska - flute, Blanka Bednarz - violin, Marcin Murawski - viola, Cheung Chau - violoncello)... both concerts (including the final concert with Sinfonietta Polonia under direction of Cheung Chau) met with great recognition from the audience..."

Andrzej Chylewski review in "Głos Wielkopolski" after solo concert with Sinfonietta Polonia at Hotel Poznań Novotel Centrum (14th May 2006), soloist in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola, k. 364:
"... yet Marcin Murawski's viola sounded very interesting..."

Antonin Scherrer, Managing chief of Swiss label Claves Records:
"Thanks a lot to send me your music a few months ago - it was a real pleasure to listen to it. You've a great and unusual personnality and should be soon rewarded for your talent"

Andrzej Chylewski review in "Głos Wielkopolski" after Sinfonietta Polonia concert at Spanish Hall in National Museum in Poznań (22nd March 2005), leader of the viola section:
".... in Mieczysław Karłowicz Serenade for string orchestra, where the cello and the viola sections sounded very jointly... in recklessnessly played Beethoven's 1st Symphony... managed to achieve plenty of good symphonic, and plenty of musical cooperation. Applause from the audience in the Spanish Hall have certified this."

Letter of recommendation from professor Claus Myrup, Royal Jutland Academy of Music Aarhus, Danmark 2004
"It has been a great pleasure for me to have Marcin Murawski in my violaclass at The Royal Academy of Music. Mr. Murawski is a very fine musician with lots of energy and expression in his playing. He always shows enormously enthusiasm and has a wide knowledge about music. I'm sure that he is not only a fine violist, but also an inspiring teacher for his students."

Review of professor Janusz Pisarski (Academy of Music Cracow, Poland) on doctorate recital at Academy of Music Katowice, Poland - February of 2004
"... performed I. Pleyel Concerto with great accuracy and precision, correct phrasing and with logic and consequent understanding of the matter of this music... In R. Schumann's piece tried to vary the mood of every each movement, what he had done superbly... Interpretation of P. Hindemith Sonata seemed to me highly interesting; seized myself with authenticity and enormous vigor of playing..."

Review of recital performed as soloist with Koszalin Symphony Orchestra in Cathedral in Koszalin during 37th International Organ Festival in Koszalin, Poland, 25th July 2003
"...yet solo parts with a bit thinner orchestrations allowed us to taste beautiful, delicate sound of viola and very good playing of soloist..."

Letter of recommendation of professor Donald Maurice, Massey University College of Music Wellington, New Zealand, 27th June 2003
"...Your playing demonstrates a superior command of the instrument and a mature, sensitive and refined musicianship. Your repertoire list also demonstrates a broad coverage of styles, nationalities and periods..."

Opinion of m.m. Brian Lee, Registered Suzuki Instructor, of Saint Petersburg, Florida USA, 4 January 2003
"...Mr. Murawski shows a technical confidence which enables him to play any repertoire he chooses, fearlessly. More importantly, his performances are not copies of anyone else... We violist are blessed to have artist such as he to represent our instrument..."

Letter of recommendation of professor John Krakenberger, Royal Academy of Music Madrid, Spain, 8th November 2002
"...Mr. Murawski shows a thorough preparation, his technique is well developed, and his intonation is, on the whole, excellent... I firmly believe that he will be developing towards a good professional career..."

Review of cd from Michael Kimber, Professor of Viola, School of Music, The University of Southern Mississippi USA, April 2003 (soloist)
"...your Pleyel (Concerto in D) recording was especially impressive; you play this with a lot of style and character, and the orchestra ("Amadeus" Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, conductor A. Duczmal) is quite good also..."

Internet magazine of Royal Music Conservatory in Ghent, 15th February 2002 (soloist)
"...your interpretation of Corelli and Bach told me enough: I will be glad to work with you - prof. Leo De Neve, viola class..."

Letter form Swedish Royal Embassy in Poland, 20th January 2002 (soloist)
"...with words of respect from Royal Swedish Embassy..."

Second Channel of Polish TV, 3rd June 2001 - (Author and performer of the music score to the radio audition which has won the Grand Prix)
"... there are no weak points in this audition... and the music and performance is very good..."

Energetyk Poznański, magazine from July 2000, (soloist with Polish Chamber Orchestra "Amadeus" conductor Agnieszka Duczmal)
"... very talented young teacher from our Academy of Music..."

Gazeta Wyborcza, 16th June 2000 (soloist with Polish Chamber Orchestra "Amadeus" conductor Agnieszka Duczmal)
"... high quality of playing ... the highest abilities..."

Ruch Muzyczny,17th May 1998 (with Agutti Quartet)
"of interpretation and easiness and joy of playing... subtle sensuality and beautiful pale of sound"

Glos Wielkopolski, 25th November 1997 (with Agutti Quartet)
"temperaments of youth ...able to strike with characteristic grace of sound, to plan emotions and depths of color... able with youth temperament enjoy themselves and the public..."

The Washington Post, CD review from 28th April 1996 (with Tutti e Solo)
"...beautiful piece of Polish music...with small but proficient chamber music group Tutti e Solo..."