Martin Labazevitch, one of the finest young Polish pianists of our day, has teamed up with his compatriot, emerging conducting sorceress Ewa Strusińska to record their first release for Delos: a supremely appealing all-Polish program of beloved musical gems for piano and orchestra as well as engaging orchestral selections. Add the brilliant young virtuosos of the Beethoven Academy Orchestra to complete a supremely gifted and accomplished musical team.

To begin, you’ll hear Romantic-era composer Stanislaw Moniuszko’s delightful and unpretentious overture to his opera, The Raftsman. There follow two works of revered “poet of the piano” Frédéric Chopin’s six concertante piano works, beginning with the beloved Piano Concerto No. 2 – then a lesser-known nationalistic work: the Fantaisie on Polish Themes. Both of these early pieces beguile with their gorgeous melodies and intricate finger filigree. The CD ends with the Little Suite for orchestra: 20th-century master Witold Lutoslawski’s charming treatment of Polish folk-melodies.