Witold Lutosławski(1913-1994) is most strongly associated with the orchestral works - "- Concerto for Orchestra" (1950-1954) and "Symphony No. 3" (1981-1983). However, Lutosławski created vocal works throughout his entire life and they made a significant contribution to his list of achievements between the 30’s and 90's.
In addition to many songs for voice and piano, written in the 40’s and 50's, including light popular songs and songs for children (written under the pseudonym Derwid), Lutosławski also wrote works that were later transcribed for orchestra - like "Twenty Carols" (1946), "Five Songs" to the words of Kazimierza Iłłakowiczówna (1957) and "Trzy poematy d'Henri Michaux" (1963).
Chandos’ disc includes some of Lutoslawski's early works and his three major works for voice and orchestra written after 1960: "Paroles tissées" (1965), "Les Espaces du sommeil" (1975) and "Chantefleurs et Chantefables" (1990)
The recording was performed by distinguished soloists Lucy Crowe (soprano), Toby Spence (tenor) and Christopher Purves (baritone). They were accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Stephen Bryant.
The disc includes the following pieces:
"Tryptyk śląski" (Silesian Tryptych) for Soprano and Symphony Orchestra (1951)
I Allegro non troppo. "Oj mi się owiesek wysypywa"
II Andante quieto. "Ach, w tej studni źrodło bije"
III Allegro vivace. "Kukułeczka kuka"
"Lacrimosa" for Soprano and Orchestra (1937)
Andante
"Paroles tissées" for Tenor and Chamber Orchestra (1965)
To Peter Pears
"Un chat qui s'emerveille" (♩ = c. 84)
"Quand le jour a rouvert les branches du jardin". Quieto - Andante con moto - Quieto - Andante con moto
"Mille chevaux hors d'haleine". Allegro molto - Lento - Lento, accelerando - Poco meno mosso
"Dormez cette paleur nous est venue de loin". Quieto
"Śpijże, śpij" (Sleep, sleep) No. 3 from four Children's Songs for Soprano and Chamber Orchestra
Allegretto moderato - Poco meno mosso
"Les espaces du sommeil" for Baritone and Orchestra (1975)
For Dietricha Fischera-Dieskau
"Dans la nuit il y a naturellement les sept merveilles". ♩ = c. 58
"Il y a toi l'immolee, toi que j'attends". Tranquillo
"Il y a toi sans doute que je ne connais pas". ♩ = c. 152 - Meno mosso - [Tempo I] - Lento - Allegro
"Chantefleurs et Chantefables" Song Cycle for Soprano and Orchestra (1990) To Paul Sacher
1. "La Belle-de-nuit". ♩. = c. 75
2. "La Sauterelle". ♩. = c. 100
3. "La Veronique". ♪ = c. 100
4. "L'Eglantine, l'aubepine et la glycine". ♩ = c. 140
5. "La Tortue". ♩ = c. 55
6. "La Rose". ♪ = c. 80
7. "L'Alligator". ♩ = c. 120
8. "L'Angelique". ♩ = c. 70
9. "Le Papillon". ♩ = c. 160
The CD "Witold Lutosławski. Vocal works", that was produced thanks to the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of the Polska Music program (polskamusic.pl), has been critically acclaimed by among others Classic FM Magazine, BBC Music Magazine, The Guardian, Financial Times.
Sources: Polska Music materials.
Tr. Alexander Sikorski, July 2014