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Szymanowski: Symphonies No 1 & 4, Concert Overture / Wit, Warsaw PO
Naxos

Szymanowski: Symphonies No 1 & 4, Concert Overture / Wit, Warsaw PO

$19.99

Details

Composer
SZYMANOWSKI, KAROL
Artist
Wit, Warsaw Po
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Apr 28, 2009
Catalog #
8570722
UPC
747313072279

About


As previous issues in this series have shown, when Antoni Wit and his forces are in top form in the music of Szymanowski, they're pretty much unbeatable. At last, we have a complete symphony cycle in performances that will serve as the reference for all newcomers. Szymanowski repudiated his First Symphony on stylistic grounds (too Wagnerian), and it certainly does not represent the direction he ultimately took. But it's still great fun: a big, bold, scant 20 minutes of colorful scoring and exuberant musical ideas. The Concert Overture is even more so. It's pure Richard Strauss, only better in some respects--packing all the ebullience of Don Juan or Ein Heldenleben (or both!) into a relatively concise curtain-raiser.

The performance of the Symphonie Concertante, one of Szymanowski's greatest works, is superb. Pianist Jan Krzysztof Broja plays the solo part beautifully. He's got the chops for the big moments in the outer movements, but it's his delicacy at the start of the central andante that's most memorable. Wit, typically, directs the orchestra with remarkable clarity as well as power. The finale in particular never has sounded less "clogged" texturally, while the very natural engineering always leaves plenty of room for the sound to expand and fill the hall at those ecstatic climaxes that are such a hallmark of this composer. A splendid release!

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 7 tracks

  1. 1 Concert Overture, Op. 12 13:52
    Track
    1
    Title
    Concert Overture, Op. 12
    Duration
    13:52
    Composer
    Karol Szymanowski
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Antoni Wit
  2. 2 I. [Allegro moderato] 09:58
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. [Allegro moderato]
    Duration
    09:58
    Composer
    Karol Szymanowski
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Antoni Wit
  3. 3 II. Finale: Allegretto con moto grazioso 08:42
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Finale: Allegretto con moto grazioso
    Duration
    08:42
    Composer
    Karol Szymanowski
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Antoni Wit
  4. 4 I. Moderato - Tempo comodo 11:26
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Moderato - Tempo comodo
    Duration
    11:26
    Composer
    Karol Szymanowski
    Performer
    Jan Krzysztof Broja
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Antoni Wit
  5. 5 II. Andante molto sostenuto 09:37
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Andante molto sostenuto
    Duration
    09:37
    Composer
    Karol Szymanowski
    Performer
    Jan Krzysztof Broja
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Antoni Wit
  6. 6 III. Allegro non troppo, ma agitato ed ansioso 07:00
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Allegro non troppo, ma agitato ed ansioso
    Duration
    07:00
    Composer
    Karol Szymanowski
    Performer
    Jan Krzysztof Broja
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Antoni Wit
  7. 7 Study in B-Flat Minor, Op. 4, No. 3 (arr. G. Filtelberg for orchestra) 06:43
    Track
    7
    Title
    Study in B-Flat Minor, Op. 4, No. 3 (arr. G. Filtelberg for orchestra)
    Duration
    06:43
    Composer
    Karol Szymanowski
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Antoni Wit