Songs Op. 2 to poems by Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer are the earliest collection of songs by Karol Szymanowski. Written in 1900-1902, they were dedicated, in turn, to the composer's sister Stanisława Szymanowska, the would-be famous singer and outstanding performer of Szymanowski's songs (No. 1 - Daleko został cały świat), his cousin Feliks Zbyszewski (No. 2 - Tyś nie umarła) and i Mrs Buba [Maria] Grossmann1 (No. 3 - We mgłach, No. 4 - Czasem, gdy długo na pół sennie marzę, No. 5 - Słyszałem ciebie and No. 6 - Pielgrzym).
Although Szymanowski himself once said nothing special of his Songs Opus 22, the listener is attracted by their lyrical mood created by dark colours, sparing use of means of expression and characteristic harmony, all perfectly in tune with the pessimistic and melancholic aura of Tetmajer's lyrics.
The Songs have been also appreciated by posterity, as evidenced by several publications (also abroad) of the scores, the transcription for mixed chorus with piano by Tadeusz Maklakiewicz and a number of interpretations and recordings, including those by Maria Drewniakówna and Jerzy Lefeld, Wiktor Brégy and Wanda Klimowiczowa, as well as a recent, 2004 release by Channel Classics featuring Piotr Beczała and Reinild Mees.
Notes:
1 The house of the Grossmans (Ludwik, the co-founder of the company Herman i Grossman, representing the Bechstein piano factory, followed by his son, the husband of Maria (Buba) nee Sawrynowicz was one of the centres of the music life of Warsaw, hosting musical meetings attended by famous musicians who came to Warsaw to give concerts.
2 Karol Szymanowski. Korespondencja, Tom I: lata 1903-1919, s. 245, list z dn. 4 XII 1910 do Zdzisława Jachimeckego, red. Teresa Chylińska, PWM, Kraków 1982.
Author: Anna Iwanicka-Nijakowska, September 2007.