Karol Szymanowski: Piano Works

by Krystian Zimerman

Overview

Pianist Krystian Zimerman has already done great service on recordings to composers from his native Poland, and he continues to do so with this fine selection of piano works by Karol Szymanowski. Szymanowski is best known, at least outside Poland, for works in larger forms, and Zimerman, moreover, does not include his three piano sonatas, which are probably his most familiar keyboard works. Thus most of the music here will be new to listeners, and they will experience it as a major find. Zimerman builds on a 1994 recording of the Masques, Op. 34, a truly remarkable transference of 19th century program music ideas into a more modern context. This is a bit jarring sonically, but one can understand why the pianist wanted to keep this razor-sharp performance. The work is surrounded by pieces from various phases of Szymanowski's career, beginning with excerpts from his Nine Preludes, Op. 1. These are in the Chopin mold but have a harmonic and structural exuberance that points to the work of the mature composer. The 20 Mazurkas, Op. 50, four of which are included here, approach Bartok in their ways of tying a modern concision to folk roots. The final Variations on a Folk Theme, Op. 10, reveal Szymanowski's talents as a pianist, and they are compelling in Zimerman's hands. Szymanowski's music appears to be undergoing a major revival, and this fine release is sure to help it along. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	10/28/2022
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948630073
Rank:	120112

Tracks

1. Pr¿¿ludes, Op. 1~No. 1 in B minor. Andante ma non troppo
2. Pr¿¿ludes, Op. 1~No. 2 in D minor. Andante con moto
3. Pr¿¿ludes, Op. 1~No. 7 in C minor. Moderato
4. Pr¿¿ludes, Op. 1~No. 8 in E flat minor. Andante ma non troppo
5. Masques, Op. 34~No. 1. Sh¿¿h¿¿razade. Lento assai. Languido
6. Masques, Op. 34~No. 2. Tantris le Bouffon. Vivace assai
7. Masques, Op. 34~No. 3. S¿¿r¿¿nade de Don Juan. Vivace
8. Mazurkas, Op. 50~No. 13 Moderato
9. Mazurkas, Op. 50~No. 14 Animato z elegancj¿¿ i grandezz¿¿
10. Mazurkas, Op. 50~No. 15 Allegretto dolce. Naiwnie i sentymentalnie
11. Mazurkas, Op. 50~No. 16 Allegramente. Vigoroso
12. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Andante doloroso rubato
13. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Tema. Andantino semplice
14. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 1 Meno mosso
15. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 2 Agitato
16. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 3 Lento mesto, ma poco agitato
17. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 4 Allegro molto agitato
18. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 5 Andantino
19. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 6 Andante dolcissimo
20. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 7 Pi¿¿ mosso
21. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 8 Marcia funebre
22. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 9 Pi¿¿ mosso (Allegro)
23. Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Op. 10~Var. 10 Finale. Allegro vivo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Krystian Zimerman   Primary Artist,Piano

Technical Credits

Eva Reisinger   Booklet Editor
Jessica Duchen   Liner Notes
Oliver Rogalla   Assistant Engineer
Verena Sierig   Liner Note Translation
Thomas Liebchen   Design
Bartek Barczyk   Cover Photo,Photography
Nicole Albring   Production Manager
Philipp Zeidler   Product Manager
Karol Szymanowski   Composer
Rainer Maillard   Engineer,Recording Producer
Roger Wright   Executive Producer
Helmut Burk   Engineer,Recording Producer
Ute Fesquet   Executive Producer