Composer: Karol Szymanowski
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: LSO
Release: 2013
Size: 875 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 15
01. I. Allegro patetico
02. II. Finale Allegretto con moto. Grazioso
Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19
03. I. Allegro Moderato. Grazioso
04. II. Theme
05. III. Variation I
06. IV. Variation II
07. V. Variation III
08. VI. Variation IV
09. VII. Variation V
10. VIII. Finale Introduction – Variation VI
11. IX. Finale – Fugue
Valery Gergiev explores the intense expression, fervour and spirituality of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski (1882–1937) with his first recording of the early symphonies on LSO Live.
For decades Szymanowski’s music was rarely heard outside Poland. Today, he is recognised as one of Poland’s greatest musical figures. His desire to embody the music of his native land and his incorporation of the folkloric sounds of the Polish mountains make his orchestral works a must for anyone with an interest in Polish culture and music. During Szymanowski’s early career, he wrote works of a grandiose, densely chromatic nature in the Germanic style of Strauss and Wagner. His first symphony is drenched in evocative Romanticism and is an extremely powerful and emotionally intense composition.
His second, chamber-like Symphony artfully interweaves layer upon layer of seemingly disparate musical ideas to form a complex tapestry that became one of the composer’s favourite of his own works. These first two symphonies, both unconventional in style and format, make for an enthralling listening experience and provide insight into Szymanowski’s ecstatic musical character.