Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994)

[bhodges]

Just I was listening to his Symphonic Variations from this Chandos series:



I couldn't believe I didn't remember how astounding this piece is! Very in the league of his Concerto for Orchestra, by coincidence.

This work simply blew me away, it's a feast for the orchestra. You need more than one listen to grasp it better. It's that terrific.

And of the works on that recording, I've never heard the Symphonic Variations! Sounds like it's definitely worth a listen. Adding to the very long "to hear" queue.

--Bruce

[kyjo]

As great as the orchestral works are, I still hold the opinion that if you don't love Lutosławski's song cycles, then you don't love this composer's music. I honestly believe that no one could touch him in the late 20th Century when it comes these song cycles for voice and orchestra.

Not everyone loves late-20th century vocal music, John.

[Mirror Image]

Not everyone loves late-20th century vocal music, John.

And it would definitely be their loss.

[Skogwald]

Lutoslawski is one of my absolute favorite composers, his music is always beautiful, intense and surprising.

He was a good conductor, too, but I think his recordings have been surpassed by more powerful performances in most cases. Here are some of my favorite Luto discs:

[DavidW]

It has been a long time.  I should listen to some Lutoslawski.

[brewski]

Lutoslawski is one of my absolute favorite composers, his music is always beautiful, intense and surprising.

He was a good conductor, too, but I think his recordings have been surpassed by more powerful performances in most cases. Here are some of my favorite Luto discs:

Yesterday I heard the 4th Symphony for the first time, live with The Philadelphia Orchestra and conductor Dalia Stasevska. I was pretty well floored. She gave a brief, helpful introduction about her first encounter with the piece, 15 years ago with Salonen, and how it moved her enormously — enough to want to conduct it herself. It is concise (about 20 minutes, like Sibelius' last symphony) and packed with incredible orchestral writing. I was particularly struck by the two harps, and the role for clarinet.

I can't believe that this was the first performance by the orchestra, given that the piece was written almost 35 years ago, but there you go (just given the composer's prominence). Very glad to have heard it, would have loved to have gone to all three performances. In the meantime, when the glow wears off, will definitely be listening to the recording above, as well as others on YouTube, like this one, also with Salonen and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

[GoranTch]

This recording by Salonen of the last two symphonies was one of the first recordings of any 20th century music I had, (and I still have it today, after almost 30 years). Still remember the bewilderment at the (for my ears of that time) sometimes incomprehensible but also strangely beautiful sound world that opened up in front of me...

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I'm not sure if this documentary has been posted, but it is quite good: