Search - Karlowicz, Wit, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra :: Mieczyslaw Karlowicz: Symphonic Poems, Vol. 1

Well worth a try

Martin Kantor | Asbury Park, NJ | 01/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lovely, brooding music with some good tunes you will want to hear over and over again. A good companion to his violin concerto, which is highly underrated."

A Great Polish Composer Finally Gets His Due

J. Rich | 09/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mieczyslaw Karlowicz is a relatively obscure composer. He's not discussed hardly ever in classical circles or on Internet forums. Karlowicz's life was cut way too short. He was killed in an avalanche while skiing. There's no telling what he could have done had he lived longer. Most of the music he composed is in a late-Romantic vein.



There are several sets of Karlowicz's orchestral music on different labels: three recordings on Chandos with various conductors and orchestras and two on Naxos with Antoni Wit with either the Warsaw Philharmonic or the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. I have not heard the Chandos recordings, but this Wit recording acts as a great introduction into Karlowicz's sound-world. I have read some people prefer these performances to the series on Chandos. I'm not really sure as with everything, it's about subjectivity. All I know, is Wit and the Warsaw Philharmonic turn in a remarkably intense performance in this Naxos release. "Stanislaw and Anna" will blow your roof off! The audio quality is also a big plus on this recording. All sections of the orchestra are well-defined and clear.



If you're looking to get more into Polish classical music that's outside of Chopin or Szymanowski, then look into Karlowicz's music. Highly recommended.



Mieczyslaw Karlowicz: Symphonic Poems, Vol. 2

Karlowicz: Rebirth Symphony; Bianca da Molena; Serenade

Stanislaw & Anna / Symphonic Poem / Eternal Songs

Karlowicz: Returning Waves; A Sorrowful Tale; Episode at a Masquerade"