Burlesque

Burlesque for violin and piano dedicated to Eugenia Umińska (1940) is a characteristic piece with virtuoso elements. The composition is characterised by a specific humour, it is full of surprising twists of the musical plot, and is brimming with spontaneity. The composer and violinist in one person included in it everything that is most attractive in terms of violin playing technique. There are double notes, octave progressions, jumping strings (spiccato, sautillé), chords played pizzicato with the right and left hand, and an impressive glissando combined with trill.

A moody, somewhat dreamy cantilena played con sordino appears alongside the wry main theme. It is worth noting that the piano part is not just a simple, templated accompaniment; it was conceived as a concertante part, musically fully-fledged, co-creating the work.

Thus, we are dealing with a showpiece composition for both the violinist and the pianist, with a perfectly preserved balance between the two instruments. Reissued after years and made available to violinists, the work deserves to be rediscovered and allowed to re-enter the concert circuit. I am sure that this is exactly what will happen.