10.10.2011 - Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)

[french frank]

1/5. Donald Macleod focuses on the years Szymanowski spent at Tymoszowka and his Stabat Mater.
2/5. Following the death of Szymanowski's father in 1904.
3/5. Unable to take part in the war, Szymanowski retired to the Ukraine.
4/5. After the October Revolution of 1917, Szymanowski returned to Warsaw.
5/5. Szymanowski spent long periods of time in Zakopane.

[ardcarp]

Oh those orchestral textures and colours. Looking at a Ravel score (doing Tombeau de Couperin at the moment) gives a very strong visual impression of R's sound world. I've never looked at a Szymanowsky score, but I imagine the same must apply....must get hold of some.

[bluestateprommer]

Santa Fe Opera is staging KS' Krol Roger next summer. Hope I survive well enough to get there (of course, now I'm jinxing myself).

[ardcarp]

Superb extract from Act 2 of King Roger on today's CotW. IMO wonderfully done by Hampson, Langridge (sounding convincing in Polish) Rattle and the CBSO. (Pity the opera's title sounds like a Monty Python film!)

[Serial_Apologist]

One of the most enjoyable COTWs recently, for me at least. Having heard Boulez's complementary comment to the effect that Szymanowsky was a fine creator of moods, I wonder how many listeners have noticed maybe unexpected similarities at times with Bax harmonies in yesterday's sumptuous recording of the Third Symphony, and the mature Bridge in the First Violin Concerto today?

[ardcarp]

Yes, the harmonic language is as fascinating as it is sumptuous. I also find suggestions of Strauss (R), Schonberg (early) and even Stravinsky.