If I Could Choose Only One Work By...SZYMANOWSKI

[@johnwright7557]

It’s got to be the Stabat Mater, the most perfect thing he ever composed. The violin concertos are great of course, as is King Roger and many other works of his.

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

The "Trois Mythes", again for violin (but this time, with piano accompainment) also are wonderful, and masterfully show how to write for the instrument.

[@twwc960]

I love, Love, LOVE the Szyamowski violin concertos. (One of the best recordings Simon Rattle made was the violin concertos with Thomas Zehetmair. I've listened to that CD many, many times.) HOWEVER, I have to respectfully disagree that this is the best choice for the one work to preserve. Many of Szymanowski's greatest works are for the human voice (King Roger is a good example), especially when combined with orchestra. I wouldn't pick King Roger as it is his only opera and therefore not most characteristic. Many other commenters have mentioned the Stabat Mater, and if you had picked that, I couldn't have faulted you for it. It is a great work. However, my choice for the one work to preserve would have to be what is arguably Symanowski's most famous work, and possibly his greatest, the Symphony No. 3 ("The Song of the Night"). It has the same perfumed atmosphere as the first violin concerto, and has terrific writing for the singer and choir, a great choice of text which suits the music perfectly, and it is a tight, well constructed, and highly dramatic work. It was the piece that introduced me to Szymanowski, first through Dorati's Detroit recording, then Simon Rattle, and it remains my favorite. But I also believe it is the most representative and characteristic of Szymanowski's works.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You make a good case!

[@iankemp1131]

Seems a great choice. To me Szymanowski's really unique and characteristic contribution is in his middle "exotic" period which doesn't sound quite like anyone else. I feel "Song of the Night" is the other really strong contender.

[@abendrotfernweh2843]

His first violin concerto is one of my all time favorites. It's sad that it doesn't get the attention it deserves.

[@kylejohnson8877]

I’ve actually seen it programmed quite often in concert over the past few years!

[@brynbstn]

Thanks for the recommendation, I’m interested in exploring this composer more, didn’t know about the 3 periods. Perhaps Lutoslawski is next?

[@HassoBenSoba]

I'd pick the dark, haunting, gorgeous STABAT MATER from Szymanowksi's 3rd period, and tell that jerk Cancrizans to get lost. Many composers wrote in the lush, exotic, post-romantic idiom, but where does anyone find such a perfectly balanced combination of ancient, modal, austere (but gorgeous), folk-like idiom as the Stabat Mater? LR

[@marks1417]

great talk ! I recommend the David Oistrakh recording

[@b1i2l336]

It's an amazing composition. However, his Stabat Mater is one of the supreme vocal/choral masterpieces of all time, and I think the one work of his I could not forego.

[@daviddorfman320]

If first heard the 2nd Fiddle in the 1970's. Love at first hearing, but I didn't write down the name of the piece. The classical stations I listened to had playlists, and this was not in the normal rotation. The next time I heard it played, same problem. About the fifth time, I finally got the info, but I was struggling financially, and it did not show up in the bins at used record stores. Still, it was an almost-earworm. May it be one for Kancrezanz!

[@barrygray8903]

I'm not familiar with this violin concerto but plan on listening to it ver soon. As I was browsing through reviews and available recordings I came across a recording of both violin concertos performed by Thomas Zehetmair recoupled on a single CD with the fourth symphony, all conducted by Simon Rattle. I'm going for it.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

A terrific disc.

[@classicalperformances8777]

Does the salonenn violin concerto remindsyou of the szymanovskky ?