Various Composers - If Music… (Jakub Józef Orliński; Michał Biel)

Information

1. Henry Purcell - Oedipus, Z. 583: No. 2, Song. "Music for a While"
2. Henry Purcell - King Arthur, Z. 628, Act 5: The Final Masque. "Fairest Isle"
3. Henry Purcell - King Arthur, Z. 628, Act 3: Cold Song. "What Power Art Thou?"
4. Henry Purcell - Come, Ye Sons of Art Away, Z. 323: No. 5, Ritornello. "Strike the Viol"
5. Henry Purcell - If Music Be the Food of Love, Z. 379 (Third Version)
6. Henry Purcell - Pausanius, Z. 585: Song. "Sweeter Than Roses"
7. Henry Purcell - If Music Be the Food of Love, Z. 379 (First Version)
8. Henry Purcell - Bonduca, Z. 574, Act 5: Solo. "O, Lead Me"
9. Henry Purcell - The Tempest, Z. 631, Act 5: Recitative and Song. "Your Awful Voice"
10. Johann Joseph Fux - Il fonte della salute, aperto dalla grazia nel calvario, K. 293: "Non t'amo per il ciel"
11. Georg Friedrich Händel - Agrippina, HWV 6, Act 2: Recitativo. "Otton, qual portentoso fulmine è questi?" (Ottone)
12. Georg Friedrich Händel - Agrippina, HWV 6, Act 2: Aria. "Voi che udite" (Ottone)
13. Georg Friedrich Händel - Rodelinda, regina de' Longobardi, HWV 19, Act 3: Aria. "Un zeffiro spirò" (Rodelinda)
14. Georg Friedrich Händel - Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Largo. "Ombra mai fu" (Serse)
15. Georg Friedrich Händel - Rinaldo, HWV 7, Act 2: Aria. "Siam prossimi al porto" (Eustazio)
16. Georg Friedrich Händel - Partenope, HWV 27, Act 2: Aria. "Furibondo spira il vento" (Arsace)
17. Georg Friedrich Händel - Semele, HWV 58, Act 2: Aria. "Where'er You Walk" (Jupiter)
18. Johann Sebastian Bach - Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: X. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (arr. Myra Hess)

Jakub Józef Orliński, countertenor

Michał Biel, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Warner Classics

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If music… features star countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński performing 17 songs and arias by Baroque composers Purcell, Handel, and Fux. Accompanied not by a period ensemble but by pianist Michał Biel on a modern Steinway, the album explores both well-known and lesser-known repertoire. Orliński describes the collection as a personal artistic diary, reflecting his evolving interpretations and artistic growth, with works such as Handel’s Ombra mai fu and Purcell’s Cold Song exemplifying his refined and expressive approach.

Jakub Józef Orliński (b. 8 December 1990) is a Polish countertenor, breakdancer, and model, celebrated for bridging classical music with contemporary culture. Hailed as “the first operatic superstar to win over Gen Z” (Telegraph Luxury), he has performed in the world’s major concert halls, appeared on magazine covers including Polish Vogue and Esquire, and collaborated with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Nike, and BMW. Known for his dynamic live performances and viral hits like Vivaldi’s Vedro con mio diletto, Orliński also showcases his breakdancing talent in competitions. As a Warner Classics/Erato artist, his recordings, including Beyond, have received widespread critical acclaim.

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