In whatever role one defines Ignacy Jan Paderewski – charismatic pianist, Polish patriot, ‘a fairly good composer’ (as the booklet-note describes him) or statesman – it is unlikely that the role of song writer would spring to mind. I suspect I am not alone in being unaware of this additional string to his bow. That said, despite the quality of this recording, the artistry of the two singers and their ardent advocacy, I shan’t be phoning friends urging them to acquaint themselves at the earliest opportunity with a treasure house of vocal delights.

Paderewski’s complete songs (22 separate titles from three collections, plus the single ‘Konwalijka’ (‘Lily of the Valley’) and ‘Dans la forêt’ were written between 1882, the year after the tragic early death of his first wife, and 1903, when he was a global superstar and one of the most famous men on the planet. The Four Songs, Op 7, and ‘Konwalijka’, Op 7a, are settings of poems by Adam Asnyk; the Six Songs, Op 18, use poems by Adam Mickiewicz (Polish and English translations are provided). ‘Dans la forêt’ and the Twelve Songs, Op 22, have words by Théophile Gautier and Catulle Mendès respectively (French and Polish translations only are provided).

The general mood is disposed towards the sombre and gloomy with – surprisingly from the composer of so many attractive short piano works – few melodies that stick in the memory. But there are several rewarding gems to be cherry-picked, among them ‘Siwy koniu’ (‘To my faithful steed’) from Op 7, ‘Konwalijka’ and ‘Tylem wytrwa’ (‘So much I’ve suffered’) from Op 18. Vocal honours are divided between the expressive lyric tenor of Karol Kozowski and mezzo Anna Radziejewska, whose firm intonation and sensitivity to the texts are somewhat compromised by her messa di voce, which, used unsparingly, is the vocal equivalent of squeezing toothpaste. Agnieszka Hoszowska- Jabłońska plays her role admirably in presenting this little-known corner of a great musician’s output in the best possible light.