Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4 & Stabat Mater

The hot-house Scriabinesque chromaticism of Szymanowski’s Second Symphony seems tailor-made for Valery Gergiev’s impulsive interpretation. Unfortunately, the Barbican’s dry acoustic undermines... — BBC Music Magazine, February 2019, 3 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 13th Apr 2018
Catalogue No: ALC1367
Label: Alto

Presto Recording of the Week

3rd June 2013

Usually despatched in 8 - 10 working days

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

Track 4

Track 5

Track 6

Track 7

Track 8

Track 9

Track 10

Track 11

Track 12

Track 13

Reviews
Explore

Reviews

February 2019

The hot-house Scriabinesque chromaticism of Szymanowski’s Second Symphony seems tailor-made for Valery Gergiev’s impulsive interpretation. Unfortunately, the Barbican’s dry acoustic undermines the Stabat Mater of its aura of mysticism.

September 2013

Being a natural inheritor of Scriabinesque exoticism, Szymanowski is bound to bring out the best in Scriabin's most imaginative interpreters, which is why Valery Gergiev proves such a convincing interpreter of both works. He draws excellent playing from the London Symphony Orchestra.

6th September 2013

All strength to Gergiev for allowing us to judge for ourselves by presenting the best possible case for [the First]

3rd June 2013

Both symphonies allow ample opportunity for the LSO strings to show off their rich, deep sound, especially in some of the more tender, lyrical sections...The volatile nature of both works, but especially the First Symphony, suits Gergiev extremely well..If you’re curious about exploring a new composer, and you like big, powerful, ecstatic orchestral music then this is a great disc to try out.

8th July 2013

It can’t be easy to play, and Valery Gergiev’s LSO sound is technically brilliant, if a little cool emotionally...Fascinating, if uneven music – one hopes that Gergiev’s Barbican performances of Symphonies 3 and 4 will be released soon.

Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4 & Stabat Mater

CD

Contents

Download queue