Mieczyslaw Karlowicz (1876-1909)

[Maciek]

Yes, 8 February is the centenary of Karlowicz's untimely death (in his 33rd year).

That's today.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

That's today.

It's Karlowicz by Salwarowksi for me, this Sunday!

[jlaurson]

http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=494

Unfortunately I did not have as much time for Karlowicz as for Bacewicz (or Mendelssohn), but I did give him a nod on the WETA site.

He shares his (100th) anniversary with that of Torelli (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=493 (300th).
Do we have a "Torelli" thread? :-)

And also today, though no even anniversary: Berg.

[Maciek]

Johan, if you still haven't heard the "Rebirth", you might want to try the recording offered at this (now defunct) blog:
http://sandflyer-titb.blogspot.com/2009/03/mieczysaw-karowicz-national.html
Haven't heard it myself yet, I'm downloading as I write. The old Olympia recording (which you probably have heard by now?) used an "edited" (ie. cut) version of the score. This one here might be complete...?

[Lilas Pastia]

Sorry, Maciek but how do you download? I don't see any link...

[Lethevich]

The link is in the comments field.

I should listen to this composer more often - he seems to be to be basically a spiritual bridge between the tone poems of Liszt and Strauss, and should be as essential to fans of both of those as may be implied in the comparison.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Johan, if you still haven't heard the "Rebirth", you might want to try the recording offered at this (now defunct) blog:
http://sandflyer-titb.blogspot.com/2009/03/mieczysaw-karowicz-national.html
Haven't heard it myself yet, I'm downloading as I write. The old Olympia recording (which you probably have heard by now?) used an "edited" (ie. cut) version of the score. This one here might be complete...?

Thanks, Maciek! Comparing the two versions will be the first thing on my 2010 agenda... !

[Lilas Pastia]

Thanks, Lethe. It's a bit tricky though. If I click on the link nothing happens. I have to copy and paste it to open a new url page and then it brings me direct to the download. Anyhow, it's in the can and will give it a spin in a few days (or weeks).

I have another Karlowicz VC (Plawner, Wit again). How does it compare?

[Maciek]

The addresses of the files are in the comments section and aren't "clickable" - you'd have to copy and paste them into the address bar of your browser. But don't worry about that, I'm pasting them here for your convenience (the description of the program is still on the blog, though) 0:):
Part I (Bianca da Molena, Violin Concerto): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R7OGCDUZ
Part II (Symphony): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RBOUY0PV

The way megaupload works is this: first, you have to retype four characters into a window and click "download file" (upper right corner). Next you will be directed to a download screen, where you have to wait 45 seconds (there's a counter) for the actual download link to appear (labeled "Regular download" - bottom right part of the screen) - click that and you're downloading!

[EDIT: Darn, I didn't notice that the thread had expanded to page 2, apparently I'm a bit late with my reply! ]

[Maciek]

I have another Karlowicz VC (Plawner, Wit again). How does it compare?

Actually, I have 5 (or thereabouts) other versions, including the one you mention, but I can't say anything just yet: haven't listened to this new one.

[Lilas Pastia]

Well, I'll wait for your assessment, Maciek. You're the boss in that matter  .

Now that I know how it works I'll explore their archives !!

[Maciek]

Well, I'll wait for your assessment, Maciek. You're the boss in that matter  .

First impressions: in the VC I prefer Kulka (either the old recording on Olympia or the newer one under Kord on CD Accord). The fiddling is good but a bit "autopiloty" - it definitely lacks the sense of drama and development (a sort of narrative quality) that the Kulka recordings have. The short theatre piece (Bianca da Molena) is played magnificently. It's not a piece I'm particularly fond of, but here I find it entirely convincing. Have only sampled the Symphony so far, but it sounds like a rather authoritative account, though perhaps it wouldn't have hurt to play the piece with slightly more emotion (I believe hysterical playing would serve Karlowicz well, he's a very Tchaikovskyan composer - I'm waiting for the conductor who will be willing to try that approach). I guess I really need to get that Maksymiuk disc...

Now that I know how it works I'll explore their archives !!

Definitely do! It was a short-lived blog (only 5 musical installments, I think) but definitely extremely interesting. I'm about to post links in all the threads where they will be pertinent.

[Lilas Pastia]

Thanks my friend! And before I forget, HAPPY NEW YEAR !

I listened to the first movement of the symphonny yesterday and I agree its' almost tchaikovskian - Suk, too, comes to mind. Karlowicz had a lisztian-straussian streak when it came to orchestration - good for him. Bon chien chasse de race, as the proverb goes. Totally untranslatable, but basically it's about the fruit falling near the tree .

With your help I've burned a disc that comprises Bianca da Molena, the VC, and op 11 and 14. Nice program, which I'll listen to this weekend.

[Maciek]

Yes, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too!

Oh, you should like those new op. 11 and 14 - they are quite wonderful. These are new recordings made for the Polish Radio - I recorded them from a webcast, don't know if they are planning to release them (perhaps a fuller set) on disc. I should hope so, they're really good. (I don't own or know Kaspszyk's earlier set of complete orchestral Karlowicz, though, maybe it was just as good.)

[Maciek]

Forgot to say:

Turiddu?!? What the...!? Good thing you didn't change your avatar!

[Hmmm, from speaking bar owner to singing village playboy... ]

[Lilas Pastia]

 

[Lilas Pastia]

Just to confuse you, I've changed nickname AND avatar again  .

The Rebirth symphony is a real find. The first movement in particular is quitte memorable. Meaty stuff, if just a tad overdeveloped. If one is into Tchaikovsky tone poems, Suk, early Alfven or other frankly romantic and tonal composers, this is really excellent.


Is it me, or are there strong whiffs of Prince Igor at the end of the Lithuanian Rhapsody? I think of the Overture to the opera.

[Brian]

Copy and paste from my posts in the listening thread:




This is an absolutely stupendous new disc. Ilya Kaler sells the concerto's solo part like it's a concert-hall warhorse, and the Warsaw Philharmonic and Antoni Wit are on top form. The serenade for strings is a charmer which anyone who likes the serenades of Suk, Dvorak, or Tchaikovsky ought to love. This volume just makes me wonder why one of the earlier Karlowicz volumes was recorded with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, in that orchestra's acoustically inferior concert hall. Naxos' recordings from Warsaw over the last few years have depicted, with great flattery, what is quite clearly one of the great orchestras of the world. After this, I think I'll listen to the astonishing tone poem "Episode at a Masquerade."




Episode at a Masquerade, in a performance of opulence and splendor. I'd forgotten what a superb symphonic poem this is, a fascinating descent into sorrow.

[Brian]

Now that I have your attention: is there any suggestion at all in the historical record that Karlowicz was murdered? I ask this because the Naxos biography makes mention of his "his seemingly accidental death" while skiing. Seemingly? Why do they say that? It suggests some measure of doubt as to whether it was really an accident...

[jlaurson]

Now that I have your attention: is there any suggestion at all in the historical record that Karlowicz was murdered? I ask this because the Naxos biography makes mention of his "his seemingly accidental death" while skiing. Seemingly? Why do they say that? It suggests some measure of doubt as to whether it was really an accident...

I think the suggestion might hint at suicide, not murder.