Karol Szymanowski: Piano Sonata No. 3; Métopes; Masques

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Szymanowski is best known for his large-scale, colorful orchestral works. Some find his fascinating piano scores too elusive---compounds of Debussyian Impressionism and Scriabinesque mysticism. Without slighting those features, Piotr Anderszewski makes these important works spring to life, infusing them with depth, color, and excitement. Alongside this, other recordings seem dutiful essays that miss the heart of the music. How Anderszewski works his magic is a solvable mystery. His tempos seem slow but are just right, letting the music breath thus increasing intensity and allowing its colors to make their effect. His tone is full and round; details are caught on the fly, the dynamics controlled yet seeming spontaneous. The Sonata is a formal work capped by an exciting fugal last movement. Masques is a triptych whose first piece drips with sensuality. The second swings wildly from the bittersweet to the poignant; the final one is a Ravelian take on the Don Juan story. Métopes is another triptych based on episodes from the Odyssey. Its virtuoso demands include Debussyian water music and wild dissonant dances, all performed to perfection. A must-hear for fans of great piano music. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

Scheherazade
Tantris Le Bouffon
Serenade De Don Juan
Presto
Adagio
Assai Vivace
Fuga
L'ile Des Sirenes
Calypso
Nausicaa

Amazon.com

Szymanowski is best known for his large-scale, colorful orchestral works. Some find his fascinating piano scores too elusive---compounds of Debussyian Impressionism and Scriabinesque mysticism. Without slighting those features, Piotr Anderszewski makes these important works spring to life, infusing them with depth, color, and excitement. Alongside this, other recordings seem dutiful essays that miss the heart of the music. How Anderszewski works his magic is a solvable mystery. His tempos seem slow but are just right, letting the music breath thus increasing intensity and allowing its colors to make their effect. His tone is full and round; details are caught on the fly, the dynamics controlled yet seeming spontaneous. The Sonata is a formal work capped by an exciting fugal last movement. Masques is a triptych whose first piece drips with sensuality. The second swings wildly from the bittersweet to the poignant; the final one is a Ravelian take on the Don Juan story. Métopes is another triptych based on episodes from the Odyssey. Its virtuoso demands include Debussyian water music and wild dissonant dances, all performed to perfection. A must-hear for fans of great piano music. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

New standard in Szymanowski interpretation.......2007-02-08

After encountering both ups and downs in Anderszewski's earlier recordings the high praise lavished on this cd suggested that the pianist had succeeded in hitting his groove definitively. That praise was fully justified since this recording is stunning.

The color, the drama and structure that Anderszewski unearths in each of these interpretations is unparalleled. In addition, no pianist has hit the nail of Szymanowski's musical idiom so solidly on the head. Fortunately the quality of this great interpretation is met by that of the recording. What results is a revelatory cd that puts the composer of these works on the same level as the great Scriabin.

To all pianophiles: run, don't walk. A must!

Glittering.......2006-12-08

The keyboard comes alive in this CD. The power is supplied by the gifted and extremely versatile Hungarian-Polish pianist Piotr Anderszewski (whose web site is [...]). I would warn the listener that this music requires several hearings but on the sixth or seventh the incredible beauty and inner logic of the pieces emerge.

And "shine" is the operative word. The music sparkles and shimmers - there is no better word than glitter. Strangely, there was no clear "favorite" on the album. I was expecting the Sonata to overwhelm everything else but its miniaturized structure enabled it to fit right in with the Metopes and masques. I loved the Adagio Mesto (Sonata) but the fugue (entered without pause from the third movement) was a show stopper. Think of it as the musical lovechild of Bach & Stravinsky. The final cut on the CD, "Nausicaa" transports the listener into a languid, dream-like world that suddenly "glitters" in an avalanche of notes before returning to the dream. It maintains (more so than either of the other Metopes) an internal structure and consistency. My Grade - A+

An Artist With The Entire Keyboard Under His Hands.......2005-12-24

Karol Szymanowski's music is too often neglected in the recital hall and the concert hall. Some believe his complex orchestral pieces are too rich to digest in a hearing, some feel his music is too much of a mixture of Impressionism and Expressionism (!), and some mistake his works for undiscovered Debussy, Messiaen, or Scriabin. Each of those mistaken attributes is reason enough for giving his music a try. The listener who may find the massive orchestral works too daunting would do well to start with this extraordinary recording of Szymanowski piano works, played to utter perfection by the brilliantly gifted poet Piotr Anderszewski. There is definitely an affinity here.

Each of the three selections here allow Anderszewski to demonstrate just what makes him such an exciting artist: he is able to flow with the passion and make the myriad colors weave into a fantastic tapestry of sound, all the while refusing to neglect the wispy little roulades that Szymanowski uses as tag line phrases after his full-bodied excursions of tonalities. The results are so stunning that the immediate response is to play them again, sure that subtleties were missed. The Sonata No. 3 makes grand sense architecturally, proving that this unique composer fully understands formal patterns. But it is in the ravishingly beautiful 'Masques' and 'Métopes' that the sensual magic is best heard. Like Messiaen, Szymanowski searches for and finds the realm of the spiritual, and in Anderszewski's interpretation every avenue of expression is well served. He plays as though his finger span covers the entire keyboard, so precise is the control over the sound spectrum!

This is a recording for those who love fine piano works and fine pianistic skills. It is a wondrous achievement. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

Superlative Szymanowski.......2005-09-22

Szymanowski's piano music has languished in relative obscurity for all the wrong reasons. The three works represented on this disc - all unjustly neglected - are admittedly less accessible than the Ravelian impressionism they draw widely upon, and they are also less immmediately alluring than the melodic mystique of Debussy, but this does not mean they are academic or willfully abstruse. Instead, they require, and richly reward, repeated listening. For there is much beauty in this music: Métopes has all the voluptuous sensuality of Scriabin's early sonatas, and Masques is harmonically varied and colourful in its vibrant tonality, whilst the more traditional third piano sonata is muscular in its percussiveness without missing out on lilting lyricism.

Anderszewski's advocacy makes the best possible case for this challenging but beautiful music. His steely precision might occasionally lack the warmth of Jones's recording on Nimbus, but this is a small loss, as he more than makes up for this with his articulate delivery of every complex melodic thread, rapid-fire filigree and tumbling chordal cascade. Though his tone is full-bodied and sonorous, his interpretations do not lack any requisite spontaneity or fire. Importantly, he focuses Szymanowski's musical architecture of contrasts and oppositions with unprecedented clarity. His scintillating pianism doesn't skimp the music's hypnotic mystery either; his palette is fully attuned to the music's dreamy waves of post-impressionistic enchantment. In short, his playing is sensitive to the composer's nuances, intensely exciting and eerily reflective in equal measure. He vividly brings these pieces to life, alternately painting mirages of sound that shimmer in the air and blasting out dazzling supernovae of musical energy. There is no better introduction to Szymanowski's unique sound world.

Average customer rating:

Naxos for the occasional hearer, Nimbus for the collector! I finally got this beautiful set instead of the single Naxos CD's :-)

Karol Szymanowski: Piano Music

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Karol Szymanowski: Violin Concertos 1 & 2/Nocturne and Tarantella
Bartok: Complete Solo Piano Music
Schnittke: Complete String Quartets
Russian Album
Historic Russian Archives Emil Gilels Edition [Box Set]

ASIN: B00000K08F
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Tracks:

Nine Prlds, Op.1: I. Andante Ma Non Troppo
Nine Prlds, Op.1: II. Andante Con Moto
Nine Prlds, Op.1: III. Andantino
Nine Prlds, Op.1: IV. Andantino Con Moto
Nine Prlds, Op.1: V. Allegro Molto, Impetuoso
Nine Prlds, Op.1: VI. Lento, Mesto
Nine Prlds, Op.1: VII. Moderato
Nine Prlds, Op.1: VIII. Andante Ma Non Troppo
Nine Prlds, Op.1: IX. Lento, Mesto
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Tema: Andantino Tranquillo E Semplice
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. I: L'istesso Tempo
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. II: Agitato
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. III: Andantino Quasi Tempo Di Mazurka
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. IV: Con Moto
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. V: Lento Dolce
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. VI: Scherzando Vivace Molto
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. VII: Allegro Agitato Ed Energico
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. VIII: Meno Mosso. Mesto
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. IX: maggiore Tempo Di Valse. Grazioso
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. X: Andantino Dolce
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. XI: Andantino Dolce Affettuoso
Vars in b flat, Op.3: Var. XII: Allegro Con Fuoco
Four Studies, Op.4: I. Allegro Moderato
Four Studies, Op.4: II. Allegro Molto
Four Studies, Op.4: III. Andante In Modo D'una Canzona
Four Studies, Op.4: IV. Allegro (Ma Non Troppo)
Son No.1 in c, Op.8: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.1 in c, Op.8: II. Adagio
Son No.1 in c, Op.8: III. Tempo Di Minuetto/Comodo-Trio Poco Meno Mosso
Son No.1 in c, Op.8: IV. Finale-Intro: Adagio-Fuga A 3 Voci: Allegro Energico

Tracks:

Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Andante Doloroso Rubato
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Tema: Andantion Semplice
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. I: Meno Mosso
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. II: Agitato
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. III: Lento, Mesto Ma Poco Agitato
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. IV: Allegro Molto Agitato
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. V: Andantino
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. VI: Andante Dolcissimo
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. VII: Piu Mosso
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. VIII: Marcia Funebre
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. IX: Piu Mosso. Allegro
Vars On A Polish Folk-Theme in b, Op.10: Var. X: Finale-Allegro Vivo
Fant in C, Op.14: I. Grave
Fant in C, Op.14: II. Non Tropppo Allegro, Ma Molto Passionato E Affettuoso-Lento. Mesto
Fant in C, Op.14: III. Allegro Molto, Deciso, Energico
Prld And Fugue in c#: I. Prld-Lento, Ma Non Troppo, Rubato
Prld And Fugue in c#: II. Fuga A 4 Voci-Andante
Son No.2 in A, Op.21: I. Allegro Assai. Molto Appassionato
Son No.2 in A, Op.21: II. Tema-Allegretto Tranquillo. Grazioso--Poco Piu Vivace-Poco Meno...

Tracks:

Metopes, Op.29: I. L'ile Des-Sirenes Lento
Metopes, Op.29: II. Calypso-Lento
Metopes, Op.29: III. Nausicaa-Allegretto Grazioso
Etudes, Op.33: 1. Presto
Etudes, Op.33: 2. Andantino Soave
Etudes, Op.33: 3. Vivace Assai. (Agitato)
Etudes, Op.33: 4. Presto.-Delicatamente
Etudes, Op.33: 5. Andante Espressivo
Etudes, Op.33: 6. Vivace. (Agitato E Marcato. Vigoroso)
Etudes, Op.33: 7. Allegro Molto. (Con Brio. Burlesco)
Etudes, Op.33: 8. Lento Assai Mesto. (Espressivo)
Etudes, Op.33: 9. Animato. (Capriccioso E Fantastico)
Etudes, Op.33: 10. Presto. (Molto Agitato) Tempestoso
Etudes, Op.33: 11. Andante Soave (Rubato)
Etudes, Op.33: 12. Presto. (Energico)
Masques, Op.34: I. Scheherazade-(Lento Assai-Languido-Allegretto-Andantino-Vivace-Andantino-Tempo I)
Masques, Op.34: II. Tantris Le Bouffon
Masques, Op.34: III. Ser De Don Juan (Vivace)
Pno Son No.3, Op.36: Presto-Meno Mosso-A Tempo-Andante-Adagio-Allegretto-Assai Vivace-Fuga Allegro..

Tracks:

Mazurkas, Op.50: I. Sostenuto
Mazurkas, Op.50: II. Allegramente
Mazurkas, Op.50: III. Moderato
Mazurkas, Op.50: IV. Allegramente, Risoluto
Mazurkas, Op.50: V. Moderato
Mazurkas, Op.50: VI. Vivace
Mazurkas, Op.50: VII. Poco Vivace
Mazurkas, Op.50: VIII. Moderato (Non Troppo)
Mazurkas, Op.50: IX. Tempo Moderato
Mazurkas, Op.50: X. Allegramente. Vivace. Con Brio
Mazurkas, Op.50: XI. Allegretto
Mazurkas, Op.50: XII. Allegro Moderato
Mazurkas, Op.50: XIII. Moderato
Mazurkas, Op.50: XIV. Animato
Mazurkas, Op.50: XV. Allegretto Dolce
Mazurkas, Op.50: XVI. Allegramente. Vigoroso
Mazurkas, Op.50: XVII. Moderato
Mazurkas, Op.50: XVIII. Vivace. Agitato
Mazurkas, Op.50: XIX. Poco Vivace
Mazurkas, Op.50: XX. Allegramente-Con Brio
Deux Mazurkas, Op.62: I. Allegretto Grazioso
Deux Mazurkas, Op.62: II. Moderato
Four Polish Pieces: 1. Mazurka (Tempo Di Mazurka, Animato)
Four Polish Pieces: 2. Krakowiak (Allegretto Graziozo)
Four Polish Pieces: 3. Oberek (Vivace E Agitato)
Four Polish Pieces: 4. Polonise (Moderato. Festivo, Pomposo)
Romantic Waltz: Tempo Di Valse. Con Moto. Animato

Customer Reviews:

Naxos for the occasional hearer, Nimbus for the collector! I finally got this beautiful set instead of the single Naxos CD's :-).......2006-08-08

If you are interested in the complete piano music by Szymanowski, you can choose between four single Naxos CD's with Martin Roscoe, or a 4 CD Set by Nimbus Records with Martin Jones. The Nimbus box costs a bit more than 4 x Naxos but with a free coupon code (virtual voucher) the prices end up equal, so price cannot matter. What does matter is the artist's performance, and the manner of the disc compilations. Roscoe needed 12 years (1994-2006) to complete the Naxos project and has won numerous awards and praise for it during that period, whereas Jones needed 1 year (1992-1993) only with no significant award; so objectively speaking, Roscoe's performance is 'better'..although there is nothing to criticize regarding Jones's perfect playing. In my crusty ears both performances sound very much alike, to be honest; so who plays should not matter either. Finally the most distinctive feature of the two releases is the compilation on each disc: Jones's is 100% chronological (op.1,3,4,8,10,14,etc.), so that you can find all(!) of the middle-Szymanowski on disc three; CD1&2 represent the early, and CD4 the late (CD4 has 100% the exact compilation as Marc-Andre Hamelin's recording on hyperion records!) composer. This makes listening to the CD's very very easy and comforting. In opposition, Roscoe seems to have mixed all operas arbitrarily on the discs and he even splitted the Mazurkas Op.50 and spread them on all four CD's. Strange thing to do! Sorry, i cannot detect any kind of logical order within the Roscoe release. You might like the element of surprise when listening to a Roscoe disc..but I find these illogical couplings with its arbitrary doses of early-middle-late Szymanowski rather irritating than enjoyable. It somewhat spoils the collector's edition *IMHO*. And that's maybe exactly the point of Naxos: Roscoe's CD's aim at the occasional listener who only wants *one* disc, representative for Szymanowski's oeuvre, and no matter which disc he chooses, it will always contain a similar dose of early, middle, and late. In our case, such devised marketing did not work for me! :P The booklet for Jones@Nimbus has 12 pages of true reading, excellent and detailed; the total times for his four CD's are 69.06, 66.06, 66.06, 67.34 (sum=4h29min); produced and copyright 1999.
A last word on the music itself, if Bortikievich (Bortkiewicz) was the 'Russian Chopin', then Szymanowski must be called the 'Polish Scriabin^2': early-Szymanowski sounds like early-Scriabin, just with squared virtuosity and complexity; middle-Szymanowski sounds like late-Scriabin with double frenzy and intensity. So, if you enjoy Scriabin, you will like most of Szymanowski, bet?!

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