Szymanowski’s Symphonies Under Gergiev’s Baton
The prominent Russian conductor Valery Gergiev has been popularizing the work of Karol Szymanowski by performing the composer's King Roger with the London Symphony Orchestra. The release of LSO and Gergiev performing Szymanowski's first two symphonies has bee much awaited by music lovers.
As Richard Fairman wrote in the Financial Times,
Gergiev’s joint performance with the London Symphony Orchestra received rave reviews: The most distinctive feature of his symphonies (Szymanowski's) is this luxuriant, late romantic use of the orchestra. Valery Gergiev, the LSO’s principal conductor, is the mastermind behind the series and his command of scintillating textures, learnt in the fantasy operas and ballets of his native Russian composers, was put to good use.
Gergiev often speaks of his commitment to the Polish composer's music, and of its significance in the history and reception of 20th-century classical music: ''Szymanowski not only deserves wider fame and more recognition, his music also gives us a unique opportunity to better understand the development of music throughout the twentieth century''.
Szymanowski wrote Symphony No. 1 between 1906 and 1907, and the composition is in German style – reminiscent of Wagner or Strauss. Szymanowski later lacked enthusiasm for the piece ("I do not like it - or rather, I just like the last part – it’s very frivolous”). It is seldom performed, and was recorded only a few times. The composer completed Symphony No. 2 in 1911. Music experts consider it to be the most outstanding work of Szymanowski's early period. This time the composer was pleased: ''When it was performed in Warsaw I was happy to notice that some sensitive people seemed to have difficulty breathing, as if the air had become purer and colder like on the mountaintops.''
The release of Szymanowski’s symphonies performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under Gergiev’s direction have appeared in the series LSO Live, which publishes the orchestra's recordings. The international release will take place in June 2013 - the 3rd of June in the U.K., the 4th of June in France, and the 11th in the U.S.
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