Customer Reviews

Karol Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4; Concert Overture; Study in B flat minor

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Szymanowski's Symphony No. 1 has desparately needed a new recording for years, and this terrific new disc fits the bill, easily eclipsing earlier recordings. Symphony No. 1 is more enjoyable than its reputation would suggest. The Concert Overture, with shades of Richard Strauss and even Korngold, is very well done here, and the orchestrated "study" is a rarity I've never heard before. Wit and his Polish forces are well-recorded and know the music well. With a fabulous and powerful new version of Symphony No. 4 thrown in and excellent sound, this disc is a must for Szymanowski devotees. P.S. I listened to this disc again today and still think it's sensational. The Symphony No. 4 is the best available.

The CD has some interesting early music of Karol Szymanowski that, in later years, the composer repudiated. The Concert Overture, Op. 12, dates from 1905. Immediately, the influence of Richard Strauss is heard in the opening bars. The Overture does show a mastery of orchestration and good melodic development. A dramatic opening gives way to a more subdued development. The music becomes more passionate and dramatic leading to a great climax and ends with a great flourish.

Szymanowski's First Symphony, Op. 15, is in two movements and dates from 1907. The composer later dismissed this early effort as a monstrosity. It begins with a passionate melody that leads into a section of thick orchestration and finally the music becomes quiet and reflective. The music alternates between explosive passion and quite reflection ending with a brief dance-like phrase. The second movement picks up the quiet passages of the first and spins them into an ecstatic melody. The music continues along with passages that remind one of Richard Strauss and Wagner. The movement ends abruptly and I had the feeling that the symphony was not resolved.

Symphony No. 4 is a far cry from Szymanowski's earlier works. The symphony was completed in 1932 and has a far less complicated orchestration. Here he has developed his own musical language in a work that is very approachable. This is more a Symphonie Concertante with a prominent piano part. The composer intended this as a vehicle for himself but after he had completed it, Szymanowski no longer had the stamina to play it. The symphony is in three movements. The first has a joyous and energetic mood; the second begins with a beautiful melody for flute, violin and piano. The music is quiet and mysterious, slowly growing in volume until the full orchestra joins in. The second movement leads into the third, which opens with a dance-like melody. The melody becomes the basis of the movement with the character of the dance becoming more orgiastic.

The Study in B flat was originally for piano and was orchestrated by Grzegorz Fitelberg. It is based on a popular Polish melody and is solemn in character. The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under Antoni Wit perform these works beautifully.