The first volume contains six compositions from different periods of Panufnik's life. From the earliest "Tragic Overture" composed during the German occupation of Warsaw between 1941-42, to "Harmony" written towards the end of his life in 1988. The selection is far from accidental, chronological order shows important consecutive episodes in composer's biography, as well as stages in the development of his individual style.
In the opening piece, strongly expressive "Tragic Overture" presents many references to the war atmosphere. This opus was supposed to be abstract, using only a modest set of composing techniques. The brutal reality, however, proved to be too much to handle for Panufnik, who introduced the sounds of falling bombs, plane engines or machine gun rounds in "Overture".
The next piece, "Nocturne" from 1947, is a vision of tragic memories of the past years, filled with dark emotions. This opus stands out because of its innovative musical language, especially when it comes to the timbre and the search for new sound effects.
"Heroic Overture" written five years later has a different feel to it. The first idea blossomed in the composer's head 1939, after the Nazis attacked Warsaw. The music was supposed to express hope for victory of the bravely fighting Poles, which was ruined by the Russian invasion. The composer went back to his original idea in 1952, creating optimistic and positively sounding music.
The three remaining compositions were written after Panufnik migrated to the UK, where he went seeking asylum from the communist oppression. Although he found his home in England, he never forgot his homeland and he tentatively followed the political and cultural changes in Poland. And again, just like during and right after the war, his emotions found release on the music paper where he wrote his scores. With the "Katyń Epitaph" from 1967, he paid tribute to the thousands of Polish prisoners murdered in Katyń in 1940 but also reminded Western Europe about this crime. This short piece, growing through a gradual crescendo, ending with a mighty fortissimo, touches the listeners with an unusual expression and dramatic character.
Another indication of the artist's fight for ideals was written in 1982-83, "Symphony of Peace", dedicated to "The peace loving people of many races, religions, political philosophical views". The composition is a specific symphonic prelude where two layers come together - chorale (wind and stringed instruments) and march (drums). The album is concluded by a very personal piece the aforementioned "Harmony", which was written to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his marriage to Camilla Jessel. The eponymous harmony of his married life his expressed through music filled with lyricism, poetry and calm "harmonious" sounds.
All of the pieces were performed by one of the leading orchestras - the Polish Radio Orchestra conducted by Łukasz Borowicz.
- Andrzej Panufnik. Symphonic works volume 1. Andrzej Panufnik: "Tragic Overture", "Nocturne", "Heroic Overture", "Katyń Epitaph", "Symphony of Peace", "Harmony".
Sylwia Mierzejewska - violin, the Polish Radio Orchestra, conducted by Łukasz Borowicz. Classic Produktion Osnabrück, 2010 - cpo 777 497-2, 61'16".
Author: Anna Iwanicka-Nijakowska