Mieczyslaw Karlowicz: Rebirth Symphony; Bianca da Molena

Sound Clips
Album Summary
Notes & Reviews
Also Purchased
Works Details

	Symphony in E minor, Op. 7, "Odrodzenie" (Rebirth) - I. Andante - Allegro
	Symphony in E minor, Op. 7, "Odrodzenie" (Rebirth) - II. Andante non troppo
	Symphony in E minor, Op. 7, "Odrodzenie" (Rebirth) - III. Vivace - Molto meno mosso - Tempo I
	Symphony in E minor, Op. 7, "Odrodzenie" (Rebirth) - IV. Allegro maestoso - Allegro ben moderato
	Bianca da Molena, Op. 6 - Prologue -
	Bianca da Molena, Op. 6 - Intermezzo (Scenenmusik)

Album Summary

Karlowicz, Mieczyslaw : Symphony in E minor, Op. 7 ("Revival")

Karlowicz, Mieczyslaw : Music to the White Dove, Op. 6

Conductor

Wit, Antoni

Ensemble

Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Composer

Mieczyslaw Karlowicz (Composer/Conductor) (1876 - 1909)

Notes & Reviews:

Best known today for his sumptuously Romantic symphonic poems, Mieczyslaw Karlowicz completed his most ambitious work, the "Rebirth" Symphony, in 1903. Like Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony, which was premiered the following year, it evokes the soul's spiritual struggle against fate from tragedy to triumph. The resplendent Prologue from Karlowicz's music for the play The White Dove leads to a serene Intermezzo. Polish conductor Antoni Wit brings out the brooding, portentous and lyrical characteristic of his compatriot's richly orchestrated yet seldom-heard scores.

"Antoni Wit is unquestionably one of the great, unsung conductors currently working, and he has a terrific orchestra at his disposal. What a difference a sympathetic performance makes in the case of the "Rebirth" Symphony... in Wit's hands the piece unfolds with a purposeful sense of drama. What makes Wit's performance so telling is the fact that even though it's slower than Noseda's, it cheats the clock. The difference stems largely from committed string playing, which energizes the substantial first movement and projects its long lyrical lines in a way that justifies its length." -ClassicsToday

Fanfare
If you're looking for something new in the genre of ripely romantic orchestral writing, Karlowicz's music is worthwhile, and Wit's performances are very fine.

MusicWeb International
The booklet features an excellent introductory essay by Richard Whitehouse, and the recording is splendid, dramatic, immediate, and perfectly suited to the music. Antoni Wit has made many marvellous recordings with the magnificent Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, and this one now joins them. The performances are totally convinced and totally convincing, the disc easily worth twice the price, especially if the composer is a new discovery.

BBC Music Magazine
Antoni Wit had proved his mettle in fine recordings of Karlowicz's symphonic poems and does not disappoint here. He has a genuine feel for the structure of the Symphony and handles the bright colours in the two pieces of incidental music to the White Dove superbly.

American Record Guide
This is the fourth Naxos Karlowicz recording. This symphony, with the title, Rebirth, has been recorded at least four times... This is the best recording. The Chandos, led by Noseda, is also very good - and also has The White Dove. But the Warsaw Philharmonic sounds wonderful - and idiomatic. One would assume that Polish musicians are more familiar with the composer, whose music has not been played much outside of Poland. Also, Mr Wit is a terrific conductor.

Gapplegate Music Review
He was on the verge of international recognition and full musical maturity when he was killed in an avalanche while on a skiing trip. Fortunately for us he had created a small but very interesting body of work in the late-romantic vein. His Symphony in E Minor "Rebirth", Op. 7 is one particularly appealing example.

Notes & Reviews:

Recording information: Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland.

Reviews

M. Karlowicz: Rebirth Symphony; Bianca da Molena

I have no formal training in music, but am a lover of music primarily from the Romantic and late-Romantic era. I think that the music presented here is very accessible, dramatic, and beautiful, with hints of Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and Mahler. The sound quality of the CD is very clear and never muddled, even in the areas of dramatic intensity. This is very enjoyable listening.
Submitted on 06/05/11 by Well Born in TX

Super-Romantic music from Poland

Mieczyslaw Karlowicz's music has been fairly well served on CD, especially by Chandos and Naxos, but he doesn't seem to have broken through in the same way some other formerly obscure composers have. That's a pity, since this music is easily accessible, with a rich sound and memorable melodies. Karlowicz turns up the Romantic dial to 11 in this music, which isn't surprising considering its main influences are Tchaikovsky's Pathetique and Wagner's Tristan.

Both the Symphony and The White Dove music are relatively early works, though Karlowicz didn't live long enough to build a very large body of work. He was killed in an avalanche while skiing at the age of 33. This music very much wears its heart on its sleeve, and Wit lets his Polish musicians loose in the kind of music they must know well. I found the entire disc very appealing. Naxos does its usual excellent job of capturing the mood and presenting unfamiliar music well worth our time and money.
Submitted on 11/10/11 by Dean Frey

Also Purchased

Works Details

Karlowicz, Mieczyslaw : Symphony in E minor, Op. 7 ("Revival")

Conductor: Antoni Wit
Ensemble: Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Notes: Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland (2009-01-10&2009-01-21&2009-)
Running Time: 46 min. 21 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic
Form: Orchestral
Written: 1903

Karlowicz, Mieczyslaw : Music to the White Dove, Op. 6

Conductor: Antoni Wit
Ensemble: Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Notes: Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland (01/02/2009); Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland (02/10/2009)
Running Time: 11 min. 1 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic

Reviews

New Recommendations