Polish Pronunciation Guide for Singers Karol Szymanowski, Rymy dzieciece, op. 49, for Voice and Piano

Polish Pronunciation Guide for Singers, written by Laura Kafka-Price and Maksymilian Krzak, offers approachable and consistent explanations of Polish language pronunciation. The book presents the sounds of Polish, along with essential information on relevant aspects of performing in this language. Focusing on the 20 songs of Karol Szymanowski's Rymy dzieciece, op. 49 for voice and piano, this book arms singers with the tools to be successful performing any Polish repertoire. Because these delightful songs, composed between 1922-1923, have concise forms and narrow vocal range, they are excellent for singers just beginning their journey with Polish repertoire. A comprehensive companion website is interwoven throughout the elements of this text to recreate a classroom learning environment. It features high-quality voiceover recordings of examples of Polish words read by Maksymilian Krzak, as well as verbal warm-up exercises for each song, piano accompaniment, intoning of the songs, and recitations of the poems by pianist Tomasz Robak. Along with the Rymy dzieciece, op. 49 score, readers will have the original Polish text and an original English score translation. Any student singer, professional singer, voice teacher, vocal coach, diction instructor, or conductor interested in expanding their repertoire will find this learning guide an invaluable resource.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2 - POLISH VOWELS
CHAPTER 3 - POLISH CONSONANTS
CHAPTER 4 - GLOTTAL STOPS AND DOUBLE CONSONANTS
CHAPTER 5 - RYMY DZIECIECE, OP. 49
CHAPTER 6 - PRONUNCIATION GUIDES FOR RYMY DZIECIECE, OP. 49

Laura Kafka-Price is an American soprano, musicologist, and educator of Polish heritage. She is the recipient of the Cultural Achievement Award from the American Council for Polish Culture for her "dedication to promote Polish music as a performer, scholar, and educator, and to make the language of Polish songs more accessible to performers and audiences." A language enthusiast, Kafka-Price also serves as a lecturer in French at The Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University. Trained as a singer and violist in his native Poland and the United States, Maksymilian Krzak currently works as a violist and music educator throughout the country. He maintains an active performance schedule as an orchestral and chamber musician in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Mr. Krzak is also a teaching artist for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra OrchKids program. Together, Kafka-Price and Krzak coach singers who desire to expand their vocal repertoire with Polish songs and arias.