Search - Witold Lutoslawski, Antoni Wit, Polish Radio Orchestra & Chorus Katowice :: Lutoslawski: Orchestral Works Vol. 2 - Symphony No. 2 - Little Suite - Piano Concerto - etc.

Brilliant Second Symphony and great Piano Concerto

Dan Albertson | Highland, MI USA | 02/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Naxos label has released several CDs of the complete works of Lutoslawski, and they are all indispensable to anyone even remotely interested in 20th-century classical music. This particular disc covers exactly 50 years of Lutoslawski, from his 1938 'Symphonic Variations' to his 1988 'Piano Concerto.' The recorded sound is, as usual, excellent, and the playing of the orchestra and of pianist Piotr Paleczny is just spectacular. The 'Symphonic Variations' put Lutoslawski on the map, and though early, reveal a sound that Lutoslawski could completely claim as his own. They are, as can be expected, scored with Lutoslawski's trademark utter delicacy. Next on the disc is his 'Little Suite' from the early 1950s. It is in four uptempo sections, with the second movement Hurra Polka being the most lively. All four sections are very pleasing to the ear, a sharp contrast to Lutoslawski's later style, which is represented next with his Second Symphony, certainly one of the greatest symphonies written in the 20th century. The half-hour long work is in binary form (two movements), a style which Lutoslawski would return to again and again in the future. He says that he intends to use the initial movement to moderately stir the interest of the listener, but not satisfy him/her; just as the listener is about to give up on the piece, Lutoslawski says, the second movement starts. And what a movement it is! Lutoslawski's principle of controlled chance is used to the max here. The players are allowed to repeat any marked passage any number of times. The movement builds up to a breathtaking climax with a whole battery of percussion taking the lead, then gently (almost inaudibly) fades off into the distance. Finally, his 'Piano Concerto' is a bit more listenable. He modeled it after the Baroque style, and it is a very rewarding piece for both performer and listener. Its four movements are all interconnected (following the composer's Chain principle), and are generally very listenable. Pianist Paleczny is one of Poland's finest pianists, and he gives a top-notch performance of his compatriot's work. Certainly one of the best, if not the best, piano concertos written in the last quarter century. All in all, this disc is essential for the 20th-century music fan. Music just doesn't get a lot better than this!"