Customer Reviews

Szymanowski on Music: Selected Writings of Karol Szymanowski (Musicians on Music)

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One of the composers I listen to on almost a daily basis is Karol Szymanowski. His music is not well known and rarely played. He has been called the most significant Polish composer since Chopin. His compositions carry the imprint of many influences and speak of a musical mind that was deeply cultured. This book is broken down in sections, starting out with the introduction to Szymanowski's life and thought forming a much needed context for what follows. The author gives a well desripted portrait of Szymanowski's background and early years. As the book continues brief quotations from Szymanowski himself introduce many insights of his compositions, performance, musicology, philosophy, literature and sense of place that occupy the rest of the book. This section will be particularly useful for those with no prior knowledge of Szymanowski. Part one is called On Critics and Criticism which consists of three texts that will be very informative for anyone at all interested in the practice and social role of music criticism. Part two is called On Folk Music and Nationalism which explores these issues in much depth and detail. From short interviews a picture quickly emerges of a composer opposed to the direct quotation of folk melodies, but one who placed emphasis on this music. Part four calleed On Twentieth century music Szymanowki talks about how he feels about other composers. Much of what he thought was positive, being that he calls himself an open minded individual. Szymanowski talks about the isolation of Poland in understanding many outside composers. Mainly, Russian composers like Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky. Szymanowski was director of the State Conservatory in Warsaw from 1926 until retiring in 1930. Part five reflects his thoughts on the purpose and value of music education. He defends the need for a world aware conservatoire, reflecting his own outlook, and sets out the social benefits of education and music in combination for the Polish people. In this respect his writing was then not only ground breaking for his time. Even today this subject still carries strong debate. The final part called On the Composer's Life is the most personal and autobiographical. Included is an introduction to planned memoirs and a interview about his work as a composer and his background. His touching memorial to Pawel Kochanski, the violinist upon whom Szymanowski relied for technical advice and inspiration in hiswriting, completes the section and the volume. This is a very enlightening and intellectually rewarding book. I recommended this book for anyone wanting to know more about this fascinating man and his world view.