Polonez

Michal Kleofas Oginski (1765-1833) was a talented composer who became known above all for his polonaises. During his extensive travels throughout Europe, the young nobleman became familiar with contemporary developments in European music and published his works throughout his career. In the troubled period of the Polish divisions he soon found himself on the side of the Kosciusko uprising and had to leave his homeland after its failure. During his exile, he never ceased to fight for Polish independence. So he passionately addressed memoranda to Napoleon. In his honour he composed the opera "Zelida and Valcour or Bonaparte in Cairo". He had hoped to interest Napoleon in the fate of Poland with this work. This proved to be a failure, for his opera was never performed in Paris. Oginski's polonaises were long regarded as a symbol of Polish national art. His most famous polonaise is called "Farewell to Home" and is also known as "Les Adieux".