Zygmunt Noskowski (1846-1909): Berceuse
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941): Melody, Op. 16 No. 2
Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937): Cradle Song, Op. 52
Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937): Kurpian Song
Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020): Misterioso
Paweł Łukaszewski (b. 1968): Arioso
Łukasz Woś (b. 1967): Aria
Theobald Böhm (1794-1881): Polonaise de Carafa, Op. 8a
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Suleika, Op. 34 No. 4
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Tröstung, Op. 71 No. 1
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Auf Flügeln des Gesanges, Op. 34 No. 2
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787): Dance of the Blessed Spirits
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924): Morceau de Concours
Eugène Bozza (1905-1991): Aria
Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013): Vocalise from the film "The Ninth Gate"
Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013): Love Theme from the film "Bram Stoker's Dracula"
Michał Lorenc (b. 1955): Prowokator: Ave Maria
Ennio Morricone (1928-2020): Gabriel's Oboe from the film "The Mission"
Giulio Caccini (1551-1618): Ave Maria

The subtitle to this wonderfully evocative collection of pieces, most of which are world premiere recordings in their arrangement for flute and organ, is "The Most Beautiful Pieces for Flute and Organ". And finally, for once, this is not an overstatement, exaggeration or PR phrase used for embellishment. In most cases, collections of this kind are usually a badly assembled grab bag of pleasing, well-known popular pieces which quickly fade into the background of your day. In this case, with Dux being a Polish classical music label, the emphasis is first and foremost on music by Polish composers including some best known for their captivating film scores.

For example, Francis Ford Coppola's take on Dracula is a very dark look at the evil in men's hearts, and yet Wojciech Kilar managed to write one of the most gripping, heartfelt love theme for the main characters. So much so that every time the theme returns throughout the film you actually feel compassion for Dracula. And here both Łukasz Długosz and Roman Perucki exploit its expressive power to the fullest. And who can mention evocative film scores without including Ennio Morricone's inspired work in "The Mission".

A collection like this wouldn't feel complete without the ever popular Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, or Mendelssohn's Auf Flügeln des Gesanges (On Wings of Song). A few of these pieces are of course arrangements for flute and organ from orchestral sources but some are originals for this instrumental pairing. The somewhat minimalist and yet hymnic Arioso from the prolific choral composer Paweł Łukaszewski. Or the highly evocative Aria from the Suite No. 2 by Łukasz Woś. No matter the provenance, these two musicians make it their own and bring out each piece's individual character, be it light or dark.

The audio recording itself is superb, with perfect balance between the flute and organ, and the large spatial acoustics around them. And Roman Perucki's choice of stops and registration for each and every piece always complements the flute and creates a seamless bond between the two. The end result is ear candy, that regardless of what you are doing, will make you stop and listen.