Polish Spirit [Enhanced]

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Mieczyslaw Karlowicz (Composer), Emil Mlynarski (Composer), Jacek Kaspszyk (Conductor), Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Jacek Kaspszyk
• Composer: Frederic Chopin, Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, Emil Mlynarski
• Audio CD (November 20, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000VLR0II
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,866 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tour de Force!, April 8, 2008

By 

Bettie D. Linthicum "bumblebee" (Lakewood, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polish Spirit (Audio CD)

Having heard both concertos and the Chopin, I can't for the life of me figure how anyone could give this less than 5 stars. The Karlowicz Concerto is one of the most beautiful and wondrously played violin concertos I've ever heard. And I've pretty much heard them all. This must be the Rach 3 of violin concertos, the difficulty staggering, and he does it marvelously. I liked the Mieczslaw concerto as well. The two Chopin Nocturnes were a perfect way to wind down after the emotional excitement of the other two pieces. I am a pianist/teacher of many years and of course know the E flat Nocturne well--what pianist doesn't? But it has never really moved me much until I heard Kennedy play it. I'm only sorry Chopin only wrote for piano--these pieces were arranged for violin. I wish there were more. If I could give this cd 10 stars I would.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Kennedy, December 3, 2007

By 

Oldnslow (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polish Spirit (Audio CD)

Spectacular playing by Nigel Kennedy. I love the way Kennedy uses a sometimes gritty attack on these otherwise fairly typical late romantic works. The Mylanarsky is a wonderful find, and if the first movement had 3-4 minutes more of a good development section, would be a worthy addition to the standard repetiore. The slow movement and the gypsy-like finale are outstanding. There is nothing that struck me as particularly Polish about either work, but both are well worth hearing. The recording is first rate, and it is Kennedy's playing that keeps bringing me back for another listen. An excellent project in every respect.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rewarding with reservations, November 30, 2007

By 

AndrewCF "Andy" (Brockton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polish Spirit (Audio CD)

Moszkowski: Violin Concerto in C, Op. 30, Ballade in G minor, Op. 16 No. 1; Karlowicz: Violin Concerto in A, Op. 8
Nigel Kennedy has done a service to those of us who love late Romantic music, especially from Eastern Europe. Mlynarski's concerto is a real find, Slavic in nature but not at all dark, passionate with intimations of folk melodies. Kennedy's brilliant technique is a bit draggy at first hearing, but he conveys the emotional heart of the piece successfully. He does a much better job with the Karlowicz, easily exceeding Tasmin Little's efforts on the Hyperion disk. The adapted Chopin seems like an afterthought; perhaps a better choice would have been the wonderful Tansman concerto. Unfortunately, the recording was made in a relatively flat venue, and is particularly unflattering to the soloist. Strangely, this was an analogue-to-digital transfer. Why? The orchestra and conducting are first-rate. I recommend this disk for the rareness of the Mlynarski and the excellence of the Karlowicz.