Lutoslawski Symphony 3, etc.
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Witold Lutoslawski
Label: Philips
Magazine Review Date: 1/1987
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 45
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 416 387-2PH
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Symphony No. 3 |
Witold Lutoslawski, Composer
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Witold Lutoslawski, Conductor Witold Lutoslawski, Composer |
| (Les) Espaces du sommeil |
Witold Lutoslawski, Composer
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone Witold Lutoslawski, Composer Witold Lutoslawski, Conductor |
Author: Arnold Whittall
CBS are to be congratulated on not spreading the Turangalila-symphonie over two complete CDs. But the couplings do seem primarily a matter of commercial convenience: the Lutoslawski works just happened to be available. Of course, the carrot of Turangalila may ensure that many more people will get to know the Lutoslawski pieces than would otherwise do so. But in an ideal world I suspect that CBS might well have asked Esa-Pekka Salonen to record more Messiaen. Any two of his shorter, later orchestral compositions—for example, Couleurs de la cite celeste and Chronochromie—would have made a viable LP, and fitted well on to the space available on the second CD. They would also have acted as an attractive foil to the expansive, relatively traditional harmonic character of the symphony itself.
Even if, like me, you prefer Messiaen's more abrasive later manner to the undeniably hypnotic sweetness and ecstatic exuberance of Turangalila, this performance is both a sonic spectacular and—as MEO's review of the LPs made clear—a powerful projection of the work's tensions and contrasts. The Lutoslawski symphony inevitably seems more strait-laced beside it, but it has its own exuberance and ecstacies, especially in the final stages, and Salonen's excellent account comes across even more impressively on CD. It is now nevertheless in direct competition with the composer's own vividly dramatic and supremely well-shaped interpretation on Philips. Only if you are allergic to Fischer-Dieskau's rather assertive manner, characteristically evident in Les espaces du sommeil, are you likely to feel that the CBS versions are positively superior. Of course, the Philips CD does offer relatively short measure, but if you want Lutoslawski without Messiaen, you shouldn't hesitate.'
Even if, like me, you prefer Messiaen's more abrasive later manner to the undeniably hypnotic sweetness and ecstatic exuberance of Turangalila, this performance is both a sonic spectacular and—as MEO's review of the LPs made clear—a powerful projection of the work's tensions and contrasts. The Lutoslawski symphony inevitably seems more strait-laced beside it, but it has its own exuberance and ecstacies, especially in the final stages, and Salonen's excellent account comes across even more impressively on CD. It is now nevertheless in direct competition with the composer's own vividly dramatic and supremely well-shaped interpretation on Philips. Only if you are allergic to Fischer-Dieskau's rather assertive manner, characteristically evident in Les espaces du sommeil, are you likely to feel that the CBS versions are positively superior. Of course, the Philips CD does offer relatively short measure, but if you want Lutoslawski without Messiaen, you shouldn't hesitate.'
Lutoslawski Symphony 3, etc.
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