BACEWICZ Symphonies Nos 3 & 4 (Borowicz)
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: CPO
Magazine Review Date: 03/2023
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 54
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CPO555 556-2
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Symphony No. 3 |
Grazyna Bacewicz, Composer
Łukasz Borowicz, Conductor WDR Symphony Orchestra |
Symphony No 4 |
Grazyna Bacewicz, Composer
Łukasz Borowicz, Conductor WDR Symphony Orchestra |
Author: Christian Hoskins
The past few years have seen a regular flow of releases of Grażyna Bacewicz’s music, and recordings of many of her instrumental, chamber and orchestral works are now available. Her four numbered symphonies, however, have been largely overlooked until now, their only representation on record previously having been an account of Third by Roland Bader and the Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra made in 1991 (Koch Schwann, 2/95 – nla).
All four symphonies were composed in a relatively short period after the Second World War and represent Bacewicz’s middle period, written in a style often described as neoclassical but reflecting a wider range of influences than that label might initially suggest. The Third Symphony, completed in 1952, conveys a series of often dark emotions, its restless Andante providing only a partial sense of respite from its turbulent outer movements and lively but demonic Scherzo. The Fourth Symphony, composed a year later, is similar in style, although it utilises a slightly larger orchestral palate and brings a degree of additional confidence and individuality in its writing. The slow movement is darker and more intense than before and the Scherzo more viscerally exciting, with a finale that builds to a more effective and satisfying conclusion.
Łukasz Borowicz, who previously conducted Chandos’s two albums of the Bacewicz violin concertos with Joanna Kurkowicz (A/09, 10/11), demonstrates a strong feel for the composer’s idiom and draws impassioned playing from the WDR Symphony Orchestra. The quality of the sound, too, is excellent. Borowicz also provides an informative essay in the booklet note, although the English translation is unfortunately somewhat stilted and unidiomatic. Nevertheless, a recommendable release and a valuable addition to Bacewicz’s growing discography.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.
Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
SubscribeGramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.