Symphony No. 8 Lieder der Vergänglichkeit (2005, rev. 2008) [49:39]
Iwona Hossa (soprano); Agnieszka Rehlis (alto); Thomas E. Bauer (baritone)
The Choir of the Podlaise Opera and Philharmonic in Bialystok
Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra/Krzysztof Penderecki
rec. November/December 2012, Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio of Polish Radio, Warsaw.
DUX 0901 [49:39]
Penderecki’s Eighth Symphony is more like a song-cycle
than any symphony you might expect to hear, even a vocal one.
I have been comparing this Dux cycle of the entire current canon
of Penderecki’s symphonies against that from the Naxos label,
the complete set of which is reviewed here.
This is one case in which the two releases might be said to be
complementary as well as competing. The Naxos recording is a world
première of the original 2005 version of the work, which
consisted of twelve songs rather than the fifteen in the 2008
revised version. The Naxos CD, 8.570450, also has the Dies
Irae and Aus den Psalmen Davids as an added incentive
to go along with a cheaper asking price.
The Naxos sound in this symphony is good, but a bit more distant
and generalised when compared to the more immediate sonics of
this Dux version. Choir and soloists are good in both performances,
though any weaknesses are more exposed in Penderecki’s closer
recording. There is a feeling of caution in some of the choir’s
entries earlier on, but they warm to their task as the work progresses.
The composer is more edgy in most of the songs, such as Bei
einer Linde, which sounds more like a serious-toned walk
in a park under Antoni Wit where the composer portrays a sense
of real danger and vulnerability. Penderecki’s timings are
not exclusively shorter than Wit’s, though even when he
lingers longer such as in Flieder there is a greater
sense of dynamism which encourages a feeling of drama and momentum.
Unusual as this might be for a symphonic form, there is so much
variety and contrast and so many riches in terms of musical quality
that this becomes an essential Penderecki purchase. This work
moves beyond the grand religious resonances of the Seventh
Symphony and other related pieces, introducing all kinds
of evocations and little references in these ‘Songs of Transience’.
The booklet gives all texts though not in translation –
you’ll have to brush up your German to appreciate the nuances
of these Lieder. The balance between female and male
voice creates added dramatic contrasts, giving the work an organic
cantata/opera feel. In the end I feel the complete-revised version
of this work conducted by the composer has the edge in absolute
terms over Antoni Wit’s première recording, but both
recordings have much to commend them. As far as the extra songs
go, you will want to hear the haunting sounds of Der brennende
Baum and the atmospheric Romantic references in Der Blütengarten,
though despite some stunning orchestral details the duetting ladies
and cinematic padding of Abschied lays things on with
too thick a trowel for my taste.
In coming to the end of the newest Dux label cycle of Penderecki’s
symphonies when compared to those conducted by Antoni Wit from
Naxos I am going to be a typical Libran and sit firmly on the
fence. Wit’s Naxos cycle is cheaper, more consistent and
has more fillers where DUX is more expensive and can run short
in terms of playing times with only the symphonies programmed.
This said, Penderecki frequently obtains a clearer and more emphatic
musical message in recordings whose clarity often offers a closer
and more exciting view of his remarkable orchestration. This is
not always the case as with the more swampy Seventh Symphony,
but there are always other payoffs which make all of these performances
more than worth having. If you already have Wit then I would say
stick, but if it’s only the symphonic cycle you need and
price is no object then the composer’s own renditions, now
easily acquirable, have to be more than just desirable.
Dominy Clements
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