SZYMANOWSKI: SYMPHONIES 3 & 4, STABAT MATER - Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra (Hybrid SACD)

‘A hothouse performance of Symphony No. 3, where the tenor Toby Spence, the London Symphony Chorus and lush-sounding LSO all combine to capture the orientalist tone.’

- BBC Music Magazine

This second, star-studded instalment of Gergiev’s Szymanowski cycle features Toby Spence as soloist in the Third Symphony, ‘Song of the Night’ and internationally renowned pianist, Denis Matsuev in the virtuosic ‘Symphonie concertante’, Symphony No 4. Szymanowski’s deeply personal choral work, Stabat Mater, completes the cycle and stars Sally Matthews and Ekaterina Gubanova, and introduces the young baritone, Kostas Smoriginas to LSO Live listeners.

For decades Szymanowski’s music was rarely heard outside Poland. Today, he is recognised as one of Poland’s greatest musical figures. His desire to embody the music of his native land and his incorporation of the folkloric sounds of the Polish mountains make his orchestral works a must for anyone with an interest in Polish culture and music.

Symphony No 3
1. I. Moderato assai
2. II. Allegretto tranquillo
3. III. Largo

Stabat Mater
4. I. Stabat mater dolorosa
5. II. Quis est homo qui non fleret
6. III. O, Eia, Mater, fons amoris
7. IV. Fac me tecum pie flere
8. V. Virgo virginum praeclara
9. VI. Christe, cum sit hinc exire

Symphony No 4
10. I. Moderato – Tempo comodo
11. II. Andante molto sostenuto
12. III. Allegro non troppo, ma agitato ed ansioso