Lutoslawski Quartet - Karol Kurpinski: Fantasy for String Quartet in C major; Stanislaw Moniuszko: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2; Zygmunt Noskowski: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Viotti

Providing an overview of almost a century, this album reflects the aspirations of Polish nationalism through the works of three pivotal figures. Karol Kurpinski laid the foundations of a national style and his Fantasy for String Quartet is both serious and ingenious in design. Zygmunt Noskowski, considered the country?s leading composer during the last decade of his life, was a mentor to future generations and crafted a witty piece on a theme of Viotti, including the use of a polacca. Stanislaw Moniuszko?s quartets balance the hymnal with the rustic, being lively, unexpected and bracing.