POLISH FOLK MUSIC - Krakowiaki ( The Krakoviak)

Label: Polskie Nagrania - Muza (1994)
Catalogue No: PNCD 279
Format: CD
Condition: GENUINE, BRAND NEW, FACTORY SEALED

Tracks:

1.Slynie Krakow Sliczny
2.Na krakowskim rynku
3.Wawelski smok
4.Krakowiaczek
5.Spod Raclawic
6.Mlodzian
7.Nie chodz Marysiu do lasa
8.Wiazanka krakowiakow
9.Hej, tam od Krakowa
10.Hejnal krakowski
11.Na Wawel, na Wawel
12.Plynie Wisla, plynie
13.Albosmy to jacy, tacy
14.Krakowiak
15.Znad Wisly
16.Z okolic Krakowa
17.Wspomnienia z Ojcowa
18.Od Krakowa do Makowa

Performed by:

Tracks 1, 5, 15-18: Feliks Dzierzanowski's Polish Folk Band

Tracks 2,8,9,10: Tadeusz Wesolowski's Accordions Ensemble

Tracks 3,6: Karol Namyslowski's "Wloscianska " Orchestra

Track 4: the Polish Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze

Track 7: M. Janicz's Instrumental Ensemble and L. Mazurek's Vocal Ensemble

Tracks 11-13: Orchestra and Choir of Polish Radio, J. Kolaczkowski - conductor

Track 14: Symphonic Orchestra of National Philharmonics, Arnold Rezler - conductor, K. Pustelak (tenor) - soloist

Recorded:

1962-1974, archival recordings from Polskie Nagrania's archives

About:

Krakowiak is a Polish dance from the region of Kraków, the old capital of Poland (used by the Piast and the Jagiełło dynasties) and the center of southern part of the country, called Małopolska (Little Poland). The common name used in English is cracovienne (from the French); in German the dance is known as Krakauer Tanz.  The term refers to a group of dances from southern and central Małopolska, which are known by their places of origin (proszowiak from Proszów), or by the particular figures used in their choreography. According to the entry in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1980 ed.), "in its origins, the krakowiak seems to be connected with courtship ritual." The dance dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries when it was included in organ and lute tablatures, as well as songbooks, under such titles as Chorea polnica or Polnish Tanz. The krakowiak is a fast dance in duple meter; it uses a characteristic syncopated pattern of short-long-short (or eight-note - quarter-note - eight-note) which allows one to recognize the dance form quite easily.

This pattern alternates with the simpler rhythm of two eighth-notes, plus one quarter-note (or: short-short-long). The phrases are symmetrically arranged in pairs of four measures each, though the texts of songs used in the krakowiak are grouped in four lines of six-syllables each. The melodies feature a great variety of patterns, with added extra notes, dotted rhythms, and passages based on triads.

In its more complex, stylized form, developed under the influence of art music composers and the requirements of the theatrical stage (krakowiak was a popular exhibition dance), krakowiak became a three-part form, using repetition and modulation to extend the outer sections, and containing a contrasting middle section, as well as modulating links in between. The krakowiaks danced by State Folk Song and Dance Ensembles, Mazowsze and Slask belong to the latter category.

text courtesy of © the Polish Music Center (USC)