Search - Karol Szymanowski, Simon Rattle, Florence Quivar :: Karol Szymanowski: Stabat Mater/Litany/Symphony No.3

A "Must Own"

Nicholas T. Follansbee | 02/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the mid-1980s someone gave me a ticket to an L.A. Philharmonic concert with Simon Rattle the guest conductor. Being a Mahler enthusiast, I was looking forward to the 2nd Symphony, but it was preceeded by a performance of the Szymanowski Stabat Mater that was so thrilling that I barely listened to the Mahler. Why this incredible piece is not so widely known is beyond me. Since that introduction, I sought out three different recordings of the Stabat Mater until this EMI recording conducted by Rattle was finally released. It was no disappointment! I only wonder why it took them so long to get around to recording this marvelous performance.



As for the 3rd Symphony, I think the Rattle performance is at least as good as the wonderful recording by Antal Dorati (which I believe is out of print).



If you don't know Szymanowski's music, this is a fine place to begin."

Polish is difficult :)

Robert Stefaniuk | Piaseczno, Poland | 03/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This charming work by little known polish composer, Szymanowski, can be sung in polish or in latin. Here they chosed to sing it in polish. The choir sings polish vowels well, but the soloists (except polish soprano) have problem with it, especially a baritone soloist. For foreign listener it's not big deal, but it seems to me, that it makes them singing more silent ( loud baritone parts ) and forced, uneasy. Particullary, baritone's parts are sometimes hard to hear when the orchestra is playing forte at the same time. But after all, the performers feel the music and capture the mood of it properly. We get the sadness, sympathy and devotion hidden in this work. In my opinion, Szymanowski's best one."