BACEWICZ Symphonies Nos 3 & 4 (Borowicz)

Record and Artist Details

Genre:

Orchestral

Label: CPO

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 54

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: CPO555 556-2

CPO555 556-2. BACEWICZ Symphonies Nos 3 & 4 (Borowicz)

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

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.

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