Reviews for Polish Music since Szymanowski

The average rating for Polish Music since Szymanowski based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-06-02 00:00:00 Richard Schneider This book by scholar Adrian Thomas aims to acquaint readers with the 20th-century developments in Polish classical music that followed after the death of Karol Szymanowski in 1937. Naturally, there is a great deal of discussion of the big three Polish modernists known internationally, namely Witold Lutoslawski, Krzysztof Penderecki and Henryk Gorecki, with Grażyna Bacewicz trailing close behind them in prominence. Yet Thomas also describes a number of figures who are not so well known abroad, but whose music might be worth looking into, such as Witold Szalonek and Kazimierz Serocki. Thomas's presentation is divided into several main chronological periods. The first compromises World War II, the immediate postwar years, and then the dark days when the USSR forced the doctrine of socialist realism on Polish music. The second period is a sudden flourishing of avant-garde impulses after Stalin's death, an opening up to the West that was rooted in large part in the Warsaw Autumn festival. In a way, the Warsaw Autumn is just as much a protagonist of this book as any of the composers; Thomas delves into its organization and lists all repertoire performed there for the first years until 1961. The third main period consists of the 1960s and later, as various composers sought for an independent identity among the possibilities now open to them. The death of Witold Lutoslawski in 1994 brings to an end the period that chiefly interests Thomas. Younger figures working in the 1990s and beyond are mentioned only briefly over two pages in a postscript to the book.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-07-05 00:00:00 Robert Michaels "I practise various musical forms looking in them for the answer to pervading questions and doubts. Search for order and harmony is associated with the feeling of collapse and apocalypses . . . the world of music is an ideal world. Therefore I am very glad to turn to a pure musical form not contaminated by externality. I wander and roam entering my symbolic labyrinth. Only a roundabout way may lead you to fulfilment . . . And it seems to me that I am getting close to the essence of music." penderecki is hilarious. Really Good overview with musical analysis on 20th century Polish compoers and situating them within a regional / societal context. Many Pieces I have to find and listen to. In conclusion : kewl book