Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra - Stojowski: Symphony in D minor, Op. 21 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Krzysztof Meyer, one of the most recognizable Polish composers in the world, extends his oeuvre with a recording of the Symphony No. 9 Fidei speique Sinfonia (Symphony of Faith and Hope) for choir and orchestra to Psalms of David, Op. 126. The latest, monumental vocal and instrumental symphony is a piece with a clear message. At the beginning of the work on the score in 2015, the composer reached for the ancient Psalms of David to express his concern about the current situation in Poland and in the world, where 'lying language' is spreading, people 'are rushing to war' and more and more clearly 'hate peace.' From the today's perspective, it does not seem that his concerns have lost their relevance. Meyer reached for a large symphony orchestra and a mixed choir, representing the voice of the community. The four-part ensemble frequently sings in a six-part texture. The instruments used differ in individual movements, radically changing the ensemble's tone color. The full cast is employed only just in the finale. The diverse and at times moving expression of the Symphony results from a harmony shaped in a way specific to it's composer's music. The Symphony No. 9 presented on this album was recorded during it's world premiere in the Concert Hall of the Poznan Philharmonic in 2016 by the Cracow Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic Choir and by the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jakub Chrenowicz.

Currently, Feliks Nowowiejski is recognisable mainly as the author of music to Maria Konopnicka's Oath, alternatively as composer of organ and oratorio music. His symphonic output, overshadowed by the works of Karol Szymanowski, who was composing at the same time, is rarely performed and has not been presented to the wider audience yet. The present album, thanks to the efforts of the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Lukasz Borowicz, fills this gap in the image of the Polish music of the interwar period. We display on it the symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 by Nowowiejski (the Symphony No. 1 is lost). The first of the pieces, with extended percussion parts, is a genuine apology of rhythm, while the Symphony No. 3, dedicated to Iris, the goddess of rainbow, enchants us with ingenious instrumental solutions - colors of the orchestra.

Kokkonen / Vayrynen - Requiem [COMPACT DISCS] date 09/01/2017