César Franck - Mélodies (Violetta Gawara; James Lipka)

Information

Composer: César Franck

1. Nocturne
2. S’il est un charmant gazon
3. Les cloches du soir
4. Roses et papillons
5. Robin Gray
6. Souvenance
7. Ninon
8. Lied
9. L’ange et l’enfant
10. Aimer
11. Passez! Passez toujours!
12. Le vase brisé
13. L’émir de Bengador
14. Le mariage des roses
15. La procession
16. À cette terre où l’on ploie sa tente

Violetta Gawara, mezzo-soprano

James Lipka, piano

Date: 2026

Label: DUX

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Though less prominent than his monumental organ and symphonic compositions, César Franck’s songs offer a profoundly intimate revelation of his spiritual and emotional life. As a deeply religious introvert, Franck approached vocal music as a venue for contemplation rather than salon entertainment, crafting nuanced miniatures marked by rich harmonies and lyrical depth. Works such as Nocturne and Les cloches du soir showcase a evocative poetics of twilight, employing gentle piano textures, slow tempos, and dynamic subtlety. Mirroring the improvisational nature of organ performance, these unhurried narratives transform ambient elements like nightfall and distant bells into poignant reflections on transience and prayer.

Polish mezzo-soprano Violetta Gawara, a graduate of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, began her career with the Camerata Silesia ensemble, recording over a dozen albums—including solo roles alongside Emma Kirkby. Based in London since 2005, she has established an international solo career across the UK and Europe. Gawara made her English Bach Festival debut as Proserpina in Monteverdi’s L'Orfeo and has performed with distinguished companies such as Grange Park Opera, Hampstead Garden Opera, and POSK. Working under renowned conductors including Laurence Cummings and Jean-Claude Malgoire, she recently featured in the 2023 world premiere of Douglas Finch's opera Take Care.

Pianist, composer, and musicologist James Lipka earned his PhD at the Royal College of Music, where his research focused on César Franck’s early piano works. A former recipient of a compositional scholarship at Leeds College of Music, he completed his Bachelor of Music in composition before securing a Master’s degree in piano performance at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music. Lipka maintains an active international career as both a soloist and accompanist. Demonstrating his dedication to musicological leadership, he organized a landmark two-day international conference in London to commemorate the bicentenary of César Franck’s birth in 2022.

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