Lutoslawski - Concerto for Orchestra. Disc of the week.

[pastoralguy]

What a GREAT piece. I'll be investing in this recording asap!

Anyone else share my enthusiasm?

[Roehre]

I certainly do (even in cases in which bars from the finale are cut).
My preferred recording: the composer conducting (EMI).
Alternative: the Naxos performance with Witt.
It appeared on a BBC MM CD some three years ago too.

[Petrushka]

I, too, love this piece and agree with Roehre that my favourite recording is the composer's own (also on a Brilliant classics 2 CD set by the way). I also have the live 1986 performance with the composer conducting the BBCSO on BBC MM and the Cleveland Orchestra under Dohnanyi so another version isn't really required. As an admirer of Edward Gardner, though, I'm sorely tempted.

[BBMmk2]

Oh, what a disc!! I am sorely tempted to.I already have one with the Cleveland Orchestra/Dohnanyi.

[Black Swan]

I'm tempted as well. But I have the Witt Naxos recording. But you can never have to many recordings, can you?

John

[Ferretfancy]

I find the Dohnanyi disc a little disappointing as I do the Bartok coupling. My favourite is the composer, and I have a soft spot for the Kletzki. It was my "get to know " disc, and was later issued on CD with Dorati's excellent performances of Symanowski's 2nd and 3rd symphonies. That one has probably been deleted along with a number of other Decca twofers.

[Roehre]

FF, hasn't Kletzki cut Lutoslawski's finale?

[Ferretfancy]

Roehre

I'm sure you are right about the cut, but it was the first time that I had heard the piece when the LP came out. I think it was originally coupled with Janacek's Lachian Dances.
Now you don't hear those very often!

[Keybawd]

Lutoslawksi seems to have been somewhat ignored since his death - I suppose that happens to most composers. I hope this record is the start of renewed interest in his works. If only more pianists would play the wonderful piano concerto. Panufnik is another fine Polish composer who should be performed more.