COMPOSERS: Szymanowski
LABELS: EMI Matrix
WORKS: Symphony No. 2 in B flat; Symphony No. 3 (Song of the Night); Concert Overture in E
PERFORMER: Wieslaw Ochman (tenor) Polish Radio Chorus Polish Radio National SO/Jacek Kasprzyk, Jerzy Semkow
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 5 65082 2 ADD (1982)
On neither Olympia (Rowicki’s 1977 reading of No. 2 is still the maturest available) nor Marco Polo are Szymanowski’s contrasting two major symphonies paired; while the well-recorded Dorati version on Decca (where they are) is just a little too sheeny. Here Kasprzyk rather milks the Second’s slow variations – this is not Mahler. But Semkow’s Third is scintillating. Ochman is magnificent as the tenor soloist, and the chorus articulates superbly the work’s almost Delian rapture. Highly recommended, especially at mid-price. Roderic Dunnett
Szymanowski: Symphony No. 2 in B flat; Symphony No. 3 (Song of the Night); Concert Overture in E
On neither Olympia (Rowicki’s 1977 reading of No. 2 is still the maturest available) nor Marco Polo are Szymanowski’s contrasting two major symphonies paired; while the well-recorded Dorati version on Decca (where they are) is just a little too sheeny. Here Kasprzyk rather milks the Second’s slow variations – this is not Mahler. But Semkow’s Third is scintillating. Ochman is magnificent as the tenor soloist, and the chorus articulates superbly the work’s almost Delian rapture. Highly recommended, especially at mid-price. Roderic Dunnett
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:32 pm