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.
Karol Szymanowski is emerging as one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century, with the sheer opulence and exotic sensuousness of his music winning over an increasingly wide audience. His First Symphony displays a youthful musical vision besotted with high-Romanticism and mysticism. His Second occupies similar territory, its passion channelled into soaring violin lines and chamber textures. Both make for an enthralling listening experience.
Valery Gergiev says of this project; ‘Szymanowski not only deserves to be widely heard and recognised, but his music also gives us a tremendous opportunity to understand better the development of classical music through the Twentieth Century.’
Composer Szymanowksi Conductor Valery Gergiev Performers London Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 1
1. I. Allegro patetico
2. II. Finale Allegretto con moto. Grazioso
Symphony No. 2
3. I. Allegro Moderato. Grazioso
4. II. Theme
5. III. Variation I
6. IV. Variation II
7. V. Variation III
8. VI. Variation IV
9. VII. Variation V
10. VIII. Finale Introduction – Variation VI
11. IX. Finale – Fugue
Release date 3 June 2013
LSO0731 | 822231173120
Producer James Mallinson Engineers Classic Sound Ltd Recorded live at the Barbican, September & October 2012
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) recording
Notes in English / en français / auf Deutsch
FLAC - 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices MP3 - 320kbps - Universal compatibility SACD - Compatible with all CD players
Available on streaming services
Reviews
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‘[The LSO] sound as passionate as [Gergiev]obviously is himself about Szymanowski’s music. There’s some wonderfully committed vital, colourful playing here, and the Barbican recording lets it all through to us.’
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***** ‘Gergiev gives a passionate account of this [second] symphony thanks both to some breathtakingly beautiful solos from individual members of the LSO in the work's slower sections.’
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‘[Gergiev] draws excellent playing from the London Symphony Orchestra, balances some complex textures with an expert ear and the clear, close-set recording has an impressive dynamic range. Very useful, too, to have the first two symphonies coupled on a single CD.’
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