My next birthday is just around the corner.

I’m turning 36 this year.

Like every year I want to celebrate my personal anniversary musically with Friends, this time . . . With the recording of my first solo organ album!

I dream that everyone who wants to give me a present will support the recording and release of a CD with ambitious solo organ music – the composition list includes works by Bach, Reger, Wagner and Moniuszko.

I’d be happy to have a gift like that.

I had a solo organ record in my mind for a few years. I thought about the music that gives me the greatest joy and satisfaction. I played a few pieces during the final recital in Stuttgart and... Never again. I want to go back to them and welcome them in the Church of Peace, where they sound just as good.

I compiled the repertoire 3 years ago and waited for the right time to handle it 100%. I described my project, submitted my paperwork, and... For this purpose I received a scholarship from the Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship (10,000 PLN).

The cost of recording and publishing the CD is 20,000 PLN – so I ask you to help me collect the missing amount as the birthday present.

This will allow me to record a unique CD that will be a musical portrait of the instrument – the possibilities of Schlag’s Symphonic Organ in the Church of Peace in Swidnica. The CD will also show my skills:)

The best birthday present for me is therefore to support the CD collection, which will be published by the Good Music Foundation.

Why the organ of the Church of Peace?

Oh... This is my favorite organ. Here I feel the power of the sound under my fingers that makes the pews tremble, and at the same time I can create the subtlest nuances of romantic sounds such as celestial Aeolina or vos caelestis.

Schlag&Söhne has built an organ in the Church of Peace to show what they can do. A hundred years ago, investors came here to see how modern and unusually colourful the company can build in Swidnica.

The Church of Peace is also an extraordinary concert hall – the wooden walls and floors give the performer the feeling of being on stage, and the countless angels painted on the ceiling and on the walls accompany every movement of the music played here.

The recording of a solo album in a church that is a UNESCO World Heritage site is also a great honour, thanks to the kindness of the hosts of the object – the priest Bishop Waldemar Pytl and Mrs Bożena Pytel.

This CD is my birthday dream :)

What do I want to record?

The CD program contains (with two exceptions) works in the style of the German School of Composition, which perfectly reproduces the character of an instrument in the style of German Romanticism.

The producer and publisher of the CD will be the company “Ars Sonora” – a leading specialist in the field of organ recordings.

The CD “Portrait – Symphonic Organ of the Church of Peace in Świdnica” will be recorded in November 2022.

Repertoire of the CD:

1. J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750) Fantasy and fugue in g minor BWV BWV 542

2. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) Organ note in D major No. 5

3. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Prelude and the Fugue of G minor

4. Jehan Alain (1911-1940) Fantasia No. 1

5. Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

Overture from the opera “Die Nürnberger Sänger” – Transcription by E. Lemare /B. Haas

6. Max Reger (1873 – 1916) Toccata and Fugue in D minor op. 59

7. Stanisław Moniuszko (1819 – 1872)

“Fairy Tales” – Symphonic Poem – Transcription by Susanne Bator

Bach, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Wagner and Reger are German composers of the Baroque, Romantic and Post-Romantic eras. Great German Romantic composers studied the works of J.S. Bach. The works selected for recording on the CD are examples of the simple line of development of the “German School of Composers.”

The program is also soundly thought out – the first part of the record is arranged in brackets – Bach, Mendelssohn and Brahms are the keys in G minor, D major and G minor.

The French Fantasia I by Jehan Alain is the breath, the pause in this narrative, based on the key in D minor, ends with a mysterious, reduced chord to open the second part of the CD, in which I will present two great German post-romantic works. Finally, the Polish accent – my own organ transcription of the symphonic poem “Bajka” by Stanisław Moniuszko – is one of the results of the scholarship project of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the field of culture, which I realised in 2019. The work has not yet been recorded in its organ version, so it will be a world premiere.

If you want to come by with my wishes, don’t buy me presents, but support the recording of the CD – by transferring an amount to the Foundation’s account (collection account) that you think is appropriate.

To make it easier – because everyone thinks that cultural patrons start with the first million – I’ll give you a suggestion for a (real) birthday gift calculator:

1) Patrons of the piece – 7 compositions are recorded on the CD. A recording costs 1000 PLN. Select the one you like best from

the list below. Whoever comes first, eats first!

Here are the songs you can advocate for:

1. J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750) - Fantasy and fugue in g minor BWV BWV 542

2. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) - Organ note in D major No. 5

3. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) - Prelude and the Fugue of G minor

4. Jehan Alain (1911-1940) - Fantasia No. 1

5. Richard Wagner (1813-1883) - Overture from the opera “Die Nürnberger Sänger” – Transcription by E. Lemare /B. Haas

6. Max Reger (1873 – 1916) - Toccata and Fugue in D minor op. 59

7. Stanisław Moniuszko (1819 – 1872) - “Fairy Tales” – Symphonic Poem – Transcription by Zuzanna Bator

To become a patron of a piece, pay 1000 PLN or more and let us know which song you choose. :) This information is printed in

the record booklet!

2) You plan to give me jewellery (husband, possible silent admirer;)) – silver and gold have risen;) Donate 400 zł or more.

3) The voucher for the spa seemed like a good idea – I really like relaxing spa treatments, but I will give up that pleasure in favor

of a CD and your deposit of 200 PLN or more will allow more people to enjoy excellent music.

4) You wanted to invite me to the theatre or the opera – I would like to go, but this time I prefer to focus on the solo

album:) deposit 100 PLN or more:) 

5) You wanted to bring good wine – I love it, but I will refuse this time: donate 70 PLN or more.

6) You know how much I love beautiful flowers – a tear in my eye turns, but everything for the concert: Donate 50 zł or more.

7) You have nothing planned in connection with my birthday, but you read it and think it’s worth it – pay 30 PLN or more and make

sure to come to the party together in December.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for the reminder!

Anyone who pays 100 PLN or more (gifts 1, 2, 3 or 4) will get a signed copy of the CD from me :) 

I’m really looking forward to meet you all in December, when the finished record hits the producer. I’m planning a big party and I hope you’ll celebrate with me :) 

See you soon!

Zuzanna Bator

President of the Foundation for Good Music

(photos Justyna Kluka)

English below:

My next birthday is just around the corner.

I’m turning 36 this year.

Like every year I want to celebrate my personal anniversary musically with Friends, this time . . . With the recording of my first solo organ album!

I dream that everyone who wants to give me a present will support the recording and release of a CD with ambitious solo organ music – the composition list includes works by Bach, Reger, Wagner and Moniuszko.

I’d be happy to have a gift like that.

I had a solo organ record in my mind for a few years. I thought about the music that gives me the greatest joy and satisfaction. I played a few pieces during the final recital in Stuttgart and... Never again. I want to go back to them and welcome them in the Church of Peace, where they sound just as good.

I compiled the repertoire 3 years ago and waited for the right time to handle it 100%. I described my project, submitted my paperwork, and... For this purpose I received a scholarship from the Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship (10,000 PLN).

The cost of recording and publishing the CD is 20,000 PLN – so I ask you to help me collect the missing amount as the birthday present.

This will allow me to record a unique CD that will be a musical portrait of the instrument – the possibilities of Schlag’s Symphonic Organ in the Church of Peace in Swidnica. The CD will also show my skills:)

The best birthday present for me is therefore to support the CD collection, which will be published by the Good Music Foundation.

Why the organ of the Church of Peace?

Oh... This is my favorite organ. Here I feel the power of the sound under my fingers that makes the pews tremble, and at the same time I can create the subtlest nuances of romantic sounds such as celestial Aeolina or vos caelestis.

Schlag&Söhne has built an organ in the Church of Peace to show what they can do. A hundred years ago, investors came here to see how modern and unusually colourful the company can build in Swidnica.

The Church of Peace is also an extraordinary concert hall – the wooden walls and floors give the performer the feeling of being on stage, and the countless angels painted on the ceiling and on the walls accompany every movement of the music played here.

The recording of a solo album in a church that is a UNESCO World Heritage site is also a great honour, thanks to the kindness of the hosts of the object – the priest Bishop Waldemar Pytl and Mrs Bożena Pytel.

This CD is my birthday dream :)

What do I want to record?

The CD program contains (with two exceptions) works in the style of the German School of Composition, which perfectly reproduces the character of an instrument in the style of German Romanticism.

The producer and publisher of the CD will be the company “Ars Sonora” – a leading specialist in the field of organ recordings.

The CD “Portrait – Symphonic Organ of the Church of Peace in Świdnica” will be recorded in November 2022.

Repertoire of the CD:

1. J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750) Fantasy and fugue in g minor BWV BWV 542

2. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) Organ note in D major No. 5

3. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Prelude and the Fugue of G minor

4. Jehan Alain (1911-1940) Fantasia No. 1

5. Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

Overture from the opera “Die Nürnberger Sänger” – Transcription by E. Lemare /B. Haas

6. Max Reger (1873 – 1916) Toccata and Fugue in D minor op. 59

7. Stanisław Moniuszko (1819 – 1872)

“Fairy Tales” – Symphonic Poem – Transcription by Susanne Bator

Bach, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Wagner and Reger are German composers of the Baroque, Romantic and Post-Romantic eras. Great German Romantic composers studied the works of J.S. Bach. The works selected for recording on the CD are examples of the simple line of development of the “German School of Composers.”

The program is also soundly thought out – the first part of the record is arranged in brackets – Bach, Mendelssohn and Brahms are the keys in G minor, D major and G minor.

The French Fantasia I by Jehan Alain is the breath, the pause in this narrative, based on the key in D minor, ends with a mysterious, reduced chord to open the second part of the CD, in which I will present two great German post-romantic works. Finally, the Polish accent – my own organ transcription of the symphonic poem “Bajka” by Stanisław Moniuszko – is one of the results of the scholarship project of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the field of culture, which I realised in 2019. The work has not yet been recorded in its organ version, so it will be a world premiere.

If you want to come by with my wishes, don’t buy me presents, but support the recording of the CD – by transferring an amount to the Foundation’s account (collection account) that you think is appropriate.

To make it easier – because everyone thinks that cultural patrons start with the first million – I’ll give you a suggestion for a (real) birthday gift calculator:

1) Patrons of the piece – 7 compositions are recorded on the CD. A recording costs 1000 PLN. Select the one you like best from

the list below. Whoever comes first, eats first!

Here are the songs you can advocate for:

1. J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750) - Fantasy and fugue in g minor BWV BWV 542

2. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) - Organ note in D major No. 5

3. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) - Prelude and the Fugue of G minor

4. Jehan Alain (1911-1940) - Fantasia No. 1

5. Richard Wagner (1813-1883) - Overture from the opera “Die Nürnberger Sänger” – Transcription by E. Lemare /B. Haas

6. Max Reger (1873 – 1916) - Toccata and Fugue in D minor op. 59

7. Stanisław Moniuszko (1819 – 1872) - “Fairy Tales” – Symphonic Poem – Transcription by Zuzanna Bator

To become a patron of a piece, pay 1000 PLN or more and let us know which song you choose. :) This information is printed in

the record booklet!

2) You plan to give me jewellery (husband, possible silent admirer;)) – silver and gold have risen;) Donate 400 zł or more.

3) The voucher for the spa seemed like a good idea – I really like relaxing spa treatments, but I will give up that pleasure in favor

of a CD and your deposit of 200 PLN or more will allow more people to enjoy excellent music.

4) You wanted to invite me to the theatre or the opera – I would like to go, but this time I prefer to focus on the solo

album:) deposit 100 PLN or more:) 

5) You wanted to bring good wine – I love it, but I will refuse this time: donate 70 PLN or more.

6) You know how much I love beautiful flowers – a tear in my eye turns, but everything for the concert: Donate 50 zł or more.

7) You have nothing planned in connection with my birthday, but you read it and think it’s worth it – pay 30 PLN or more and make

sure to come to the party together in December.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for the reminder!

Anyone who pays 100 PLN or more (gifts 1, 2, 3 or 4) will get a signed copy of the CD from me :) 

I’m really looking forward to meet you all in December, when the finished record hits the producer. I’m planning a big party and I hope you’ll celebrate with me :) 

See you soon!

Zuzanna Bator

President of the Foundation for Good Music

(photos Justyna Kluka)