Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński
1807- 1867
When Dobrzyński was born it was in a community regarded in its day as firmly Polish. Following the various partitions of Poland it ended up as part of the Russian Empire, today though it is part of the Ukraine.
Nevertheless Dobrzyński seems to have considered himself Polish. He owed his musical education to his father, a violinist and composer. His musical finishing school was in Warsaw under Józef Elsner. Whilst a young Chopin was considered to have distinct ability, Dobrzyński was described as having “uncommon ability”!
He became a prolific composer as well as as an “uncommonly” gifted pianist. His works included chamber music operas and symphonies and a funeral march to mark the early death of Chopin.
Although he tried to escape Warsaw to travel abroad and expand his musical horizons he spent much of his live in the city which was where he died in 1867.
Enjoyed it but unkindly, it was ‘average’ and not making my heart flutter or my ears yearning for more. Perhaps the quality of the recording didn’t help. New to me, as is often the case with your brilliant finds.
It makes you wonder why some composers, artists and writers survive in the public consciousness and others disappear. I think nowadays self publicity is an important skill in the creative world .