Rather oddly
Antoni Wit conducts a New Zealand orchestra for this second
album of Karłowicz Symphonic Poems. You will notice
that this new CD was recorded in Wellington, New Zealand
in July 2006 whereas Volume One in the series (8.570452
- see
review) was
recorded more appositely for a Polish composer, by the
Warsaw Philharmonic
Orchestra
in Warsaw in November 2006.
The earliest
work in this second collection of Karłowicz’s symphonic
poems,
Returning Waves begins balefully on low woods,
brass and strings. The fact that the composer appeared
to have harboured thoughts of suicide makes the darkness
of this work’s opening seem apposite. Actually the enigmatic
title
Returning Waves could be open to all sorts
of interpretations. Richard Whitehouse writes, “[Karłowicz]
initially hinted at youthful memories being recollected
in sadness, whilst just before his death he wrote in explicit
terms about suicide provoked by unrequited love … but any
more concrete connection between this and his own ‘intended’ suicide
in the subsequent skiing accident must remain a matter
of speculation.” As the symphonic poem progresses it unfolds
a kaleidoscopic panorama of heroic, noble, romantically
yearning and strangely mystical episodes with material
reminiscent of the symphonic poems of Liszt and the music
of Wagner and Richard Strauss. There is little sea evocation
here. There is, on the other hand, perhaps, a little more
seascape imagery implicit in
A Sorrowful Tale.
Not surprisingly,
given its title, there is an equally gloomy opening for
A
Sorrowful Tale. Richard Whitehouse reckons fateful
recollection again might be at the root of it and memories
of the suicide of the composer’s friend, playwright Jozafat
Nowinski. Furthermore, Whitehouse suggests a link with
Wagner’s
Tristan und Isolde. This animated music
grows, in its climactic pages ever more menacing and stormy.
The
Eternal
Songs is the only Karłowicz symphonic poem to
be structured in three separate movements. No programmatic
details are available – only the titles that speak of
a Schopenhauer-like process of self-annihilation. Whitehouse
further suggests that the Tatra Mountains could have
been a further inspiration and that the music is indebted
to Richard Strauss, particularly
Also Sprach Zarathustra. ‘The
Song of Everlasting Yearning’ has a most affecting yearning
melody set amongst turbulent material that suggests a
hostile environment. ‘Song of Love and Death’ is more
optimistic with a sweetly dreamy melody that builds in
fervour to an impassioned climax with swirling, angst-ridden
strings. Finally the ‘Song of Eternal Being’ brings the
work to a triumphal, heroic conclusion amongst brass
fanfares and folklore-like and icy environmental music
that is more reminiscent of Sibelius and other Nordic
composers.
This CD comes
with a bonus. Entering a code printed at the end of the
album’s notes allows you to download Szymanowski’s Concert
Overture, Op. 12.
If you can
get past the rather unrelenting doleful, angst-ridden,
somewhat derivative material that pervades so much of this
second volume, there is plenty to admire especially at
bargain price.
Ian Lace
New Zealand
Symphony Orchestra/Antoni Wit 
