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Post by jandl100 on Sept 17, 2023 13:44:28 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Sept 17, 2023 13:51:30 GMT
Ooh, a composer I've never heard of. Fab, I shall embark on the voyage of discovery later.
Sodding off now...
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Post by MartinT on Sept 17, 2023 13:56:58 GMT
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 17, 2023 14:09:39 GMT
Fwiw (not a lot, probably) here's some blurb from cpo about the album....
"The symphonic oeuvre of the Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz has never before been recorded in its entirety 'from one source', so that the series beginning here represents a pioneering act. The Third Symphony for large symphony orchestra was written in early 1952 and the monumental and pathetic music shows a hitherto unknown face of the composer. One of its characteristics is the use of large instrumental blocks, although fragments also appear that hint at the lighter expressivity of the neoclassical tradition. It is a masterfully constructed work and the overt formal schemes of the Classical period are complemented by the subtle use of elements that were characteristic of music between the wars - in particular the timbres of the French tradition. Nevertheless, this work is not about setting new accents. The same applies to the Fourth Symphony. The orchestra of this work from 1953 is larger than in the previous symphony - among other things, English horn, E-flat and bass clarinet, contrabassoon and harp are now also called for. In both works, the composer achieved an excellent balance between the music of the past (form referring to tradition) and new sources of inspiration (folklore) as well as a new approach to traditional elements (rhythm). As a result, she managed to reconcile the autonomous, artistic qualities of her music with the expectations of the cultural policy of the time. We are very happy to have found congenial interpreters for this project, which sets new standards in the WDR Symphony Orchestra and the Polish conductor Lukasz Borowicz.
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Post by Slinger on Sept 17, 2023 14:58:03 GMT
There appear to several entries on the Spotify "More by Gratzyna Bacewicz" listed below this album, including "Violin Concertos 1.3. and 7", and "Music for String Orchestra".
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 17, 2023 15:03:17 GMT
Yes, there's quite a few recordings of her music available should you be tempted to explore further.
The string quartets, for example, are an interesting listen. And her solo piano music. And piano quintets.....
I tried some of the violin concertos on Chandos, but they didn't capture my attention in the way that the symphonies did.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 17, 2023 16:37:25 GMT
Listening to Symphony No. 3 I can hear a few influences but I'm trying to assess the music for its own worth. It's a pretty good listen, I'm hearing some Vaughan Williams post-war in there and that's no bad thing at all. When I think of the creativity and effort that goes into writing a symphony I am generally in awe. This is a very pleasant listen and I will play it again in order to become more familiar with it.
Symphony No. 4 next.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 17, 2023 18:17:58 GMT
On to the 4th and it's the same sound world, somewhat more bombastic and angst ridden. The Scherzo is good, quite Shostakovich like but in a different idiom. The Adagio is the best movement, stark, barren, full of conflict.
I'm giving this 4/5 and undertake to listen to more of her works.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 17, 2023 18:18:45 GMT
Gentlemen forgive me, I might be a little late to the party - on the road today then three concerts in three days plus a cinema outing. Yikes. Will get to it as soon as I can, the composer is entirely new to me too.
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Post by Slinger on Sept 17, 2023 19:23:52 GMT
I enjoyed the third, and will listen to the fourth another day. Funny (to me) that Martin thought there were hints of an English composer because I thought it was typically Eastern European in style. Mussorgsky and Prokofiev came to mind.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 21, 2023 5:20:40 GMT
Bump, in case anyone is interested! There's an album of solo piano music that is another Bacewicz favourite of mine played by Morta Grigaliunaite. It might be best in 2 or 3 doses rather than played in one go. Nicely recorded, too. spotify.link/H6dhzH9ygDb |
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 21, 2023 5:35:43 GMT
Even a top level pianist, Krystian Zimerman, has an album dedicated to Bacewicz's music on DG, solo and chamber music. And very good it is, too. spotify.link/Q17EaHsAgDb |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 21, 2023 6:18:20 GMT
There's an album of solo piano music that is another Bacewicz favourite of mine played by Morta Grigaliunaite. It might be best in 2 or 3 doses rather than played in one go. Nicely recorded, too. Listening now at my work desk over a coffee. Qobuz link: open.qobuz.com/track/59558374 |
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 21, 2023 9:22:48 GMT
Back to a semblance of normality here so I can get onto listening to this.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 22, 2023 14:31:20 GMT
Thanks for the introduction to this interesting lady who was obviously a very important figure in the development of Polish music.
Symphony 3 - strong and urgent music which keeps winding and twisting, never quite settling. Just ultimately lacks the coherent statement and narrative of the likes of Shostakovich. Excellent orchestral performance, full value I think and certainly worth a 4 in my book.
Her ear for the dramatic would have made her a fine film score composer and looking at wiki I see that she did have some output in film and TV.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 22, 2023 16:04:03 GMT
Thanks for the introduction to this interesting lady who was obviously a very important figure in the development of Polish music. Symphony 3 - strong and urgent music which keeps winding and twisting, never quite settling. Just ultimately lacks the coherent statement and narrative of the likes of Shostakovich. Excellent orchestral performance, full value I think and certainly worth a 4 in my book. Her ear for the dramatic would have made her a fine film score composer and looking at wiki I see that she did have some output in film and TV. Yes, I think I agree with that. Have you tried the 4th symphony? I'd also recommend the Krystian Zimerman album on DG for some piano and chamber music. He's Polish, too, and I think he makes the music come across quite strongly. |
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 22, 2023 18:30:08 GMT
No I haven't tried the 4th but will do.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 22, 2023 19:31:04 GMT
I preferred the 4th.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 2, 2023 15:43:51 GMT
I think it would be rather exciting to hear either in the concert hall - no shortage of dynamics and drama! Amusing to hear a bit of Gladiator in the first movement of 4 ...
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