REVIEW


"29th Warsaw Autumn Festival "The ribbon has been cut - The Festival's open" "...The Sapphic Odes by M. Stachowski were performed by the National Polish Radio and TV Orchestra under the direction of Antoni Wit at the inaugural concert. The vocal part was sung by Jadwiga Teresa Stępień, which enchanted listeners with the originality of her voice, apt interpretation and a magnificent black and gold creation -a dress cut to fit a pharaoh's daughter."

Jan Weber, Życie Warszawy "The ribbon has been cut - The Festival's open"

"Verdi's magnificent Mass was performed by artists where among others the shining star was Jadwiga Teresa Stępień."

Adam Rozlach, Dziennik Zachodni " An excellent idea in Częstochowa"

"...one does not need to say much of the singer's voice and technique not to repeat the numerous superlatives which she has heard many times before. She enthralled me with a rare universality of repertoire and the ability to master its stylistic riches..."

Tadeusz Szyłłejko, Gazeta Wyborcza "Polish-German Meeting in Reszel", " Ostatnia Niedziela"

"The beautiful, luscious vocal hue of the Polish singer gave each song a subtle, almost mystic character tied with articulated expression..."

Jacek Henryk Bolek, Życie Radomskie "The Polish-Austrian duet sang and played 8th International Festival of Organ and Chamber Music "

"...Voice and organ - Jadwiga Teresa Stępień and Franz Haselbock... In the songs of Franz Liszt Jadwiga Teresa Stępień shone, but a show of her true ability came in the works of Bruckner. Her ample, nocturnal mezzo-soprano ideally suits the character of this music - the singing was almost hypnotic..."

Krzysztof Żmudzin, Słowo Ludu ""A music-box and metaphysics" Organ festival"

"...Jadwiga Teresa Stępień, an artist performing in Europe, America and Asia is unforgettable in the performance of YOYAGE - together with pianist Waldemar Malicki in the first part of the program she performed German and French songs and in the second - Spanish songs...It was a show of virtuosity of both pianist and singer... the suggestiveness of Jadwiga Teresa Stępień's art moves and awakens enthusiasm..."

Wanda Obniska, Głos Wybrzeża "We all are on a Voyage"

"Jadwiga Teresa Stępień has led the listeners into the enticing world of ancient Spanish songs - those from the royal courts and those of the Sephardic Jews (...) she has created on-stage an almost festive atmosphere, of which she turned out to be the priestess - full of faith, and what's most important - truth. Songs full of delicate colour as well as internal fire were sung by her with just that expression. Listening to them was a feeling akin to sorting precious stones with delicate fingers, with half-closed eyelids and a slight smile enjoying their play of colours.

Jarosław Kruszewski, Gazeta Pomorska "A Festival of Events"

"Mezzo-soprano Jadwiga Teresa Stępień together with three musicians performed songs from the Spanish court from the time of Christopher Columbus and a cycle of Sephardic songs (...) with her temperament and lively personality [she] created a nearly theatrical performance with music. She recited texts and sang wonderfully, successfully imitating the phrasing specific to Iberian music. She generated religious ecstasy and frivolous songs with equal talent.

Henryk Martenka głos Pomorza "34th Music Festival "

"...Leopold Kozłowski's guest was Jadwiga Teresa Stępień... Only she in Poland is able to sing old Sephardic songs. With great virtuosity and charm for poetic songs about love and the desire for its fulfilment, she has soaked the audience in energy charged with eroticism..."

6 Festiwal Kultury Żydowskiej GL Gazeta Wyborcza "Guests of Leopold Kozłowski 6th Congress of Jewish Culture"

"The songs for ages have lived closed in their own environment. Their beauty hadn't been discovered up until the end of the last century. Today they have become fashionable in a way - they are more and more popular. The unique musical climate as well as poetic beauty of sephardic songs contributes to their popularity. Jadwiga Teresa Stępień together with the Ars Nova ensemble gives a chance for the Polish audience to share their delight. Words of appreciation go to Jadwiga Teresa Stępień; a singer blessed with a powerful, deep mezzo-soprano. She masterly controls her voice, changing its colour and strength never failing to express the emotional side of presented music.

Jacek Marczyński, Rzeczpospolita "Songs exiled from Spain"

"...Songs are performed in ladino - the language of Spanish Jews. Close to Spanish, to a Slavic ear sounds very dramatic. This was further stressed by its interpretation full of musical expression. From the very first song the audience knew that Jadwiga Stępień is not only a singer gifted with a beautiful dark mezzo-soprano but she is also a great actress whose talented performance made alive the stories of love, birth, death and prayer - similar to Spanish flamenco (in its true form, not that for tourists!) and Portuguese fado."...

Anita Tyszkowska, Wieczór Wrocławia "Sefardic Songs about love and death"