Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Sir Simon Rattle's presentation of Szymanowski's "Stabat Mater" was awarded 10 squares by Cross Rhythms on its release over 10 years ago. This CD has the same title piece although some of the other pieces included are different and is just as impressive. The CD is on the super-budget Naxos label so we are assured of value for money but no corners have been cut on the performance and recording as sponsorship was given by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in Warsaw. This is apt as the entire project is Polish: Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) was born in Ukraine to a Polish father and Swedish mother and, like Chopin, the young composer was inspired by the feelings of Polish nationalism that permeated his social set. All the musicians and singers on this release are Polish, as is conductor Antoni Wit. I speak no Polish but could understand the emotions portrayed through the beautiful intensity of the "Stabat Mater". If this piece does not move you then go and see a doctor as you have a stone where your heart should be. Szymanowski's "Veni Creator" was composed in 1930 for the opening of the Warsaw Academy of Music, of which he was the first rector. The "Litany For The Virgin Mary" is a more meditative work, yet rises at times to a level of rhapsodic intensity that reminds us of Rachmaninov. Some of Szymanowski's work can be difficult to grasp but on this CD he is working from within a long-established Christian musical tradition which forces him to reign in some of his more extravagant modernistic tendencies. The end result is awesome.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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