PENDERECKI: Symphony No. 8 / Dies irae / Aus den Psalmen Davids

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Symphony No. 8, "Lieder der Verganglichkeit" (Songs of Transience) (more info)
Performed by: Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Composed by: Krzysztof Penderecki
Conducted by: Antoni Wit
Agnieszka Rehlis, mezzo-soprano
Wojtek Drabowicz, baritone
Michaela Kaune, soprano
Recording date: 8-9, 11 March 2006
Produced by: Sasin, Andrzej


1.   Nachts - - 3:40
2.   Ende des Herbstes (1. Strophe) - - 0:57
3.   Bei einer Linde - - 2:49
4.   Flieder - - 2:41
5.   Fruhlingsnacht - - 3:42
6.   Ende des Herbstes (2. Strophe) - - 0:53
7.   Sag' ich's euch, geliebte Baume? - - 3:59
8.   Im Nebel - - 2:59
9.   Verganglichkeit - - 2:03
10.   Ende des Herbstes (3. Strophe) - - 1:56
11.   Herbsttag - - 2:40
12.   O gruner Baum des Lebens - 8:08


Symphony No. 8, "Lieder der Verganglichkeit" (Songs of Transience) (more info)
Performed by: Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
Composed by: Krzysztof Penderecki
Conducted by: Antoni Wit
Agnieszka Rehlis, mezzo-soprano
Wojtek Drabowicz, baritone
Michaela Kaune, soprano


13.   Nachts - - 3:45
14.   Ende des Herbstes (1. Strophe) - - 0:55
15.   Bei einer Linde - - 2:47
16.   Flieder - - 2:41
17.   Fruhlingsnacht - - 3:46
18.   Ende des Herbstes (2. Strophe) - - 0:50
19.   Sag' ich's euch, geliebte Baume? - - 4:01
20.   Im Nebel - - 2:56
21.   Verganglichkeit - - 2:03
22.   Ende des Herbstes (3. Strophe) - - 1:55
23.   Herbsttag - - 2:41
24.   O gruner Baum des Lebens - 8:07


Dies irae (more info)
Performed by: Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Composed by: Krzysztof Penderecki
Conducted by: Antoni Wit
Ryszard Minkiewicz, tenor
Anna Lubanska, mezzo-soprano
Jaroslaw Brek, bass-baritone
Recording date: 30, 31 August 2006
Produced by: Sasin, Andrzej


25.   I. Lamentatio - 10:29
26.   II. Apocalypsis - 10:32
27.   III. Apotheosis - 4:09


Aus den Psalmen Davids (more info)
Performed by: Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Composed by: Krzysztof Penderecki
Conducted by: Antoni Wit
Recording date: 27, 29 November 2006
Produced by: Sasin, Andrzej


28.   I. Psalm 27 - 2:51
29.   II. Psalm 30 - 1:54
30.   III. Psalm 43 - 2:08
31.   IV. Psalm 143 - 3:44

Reviews

Penderecki's Latest Triumph (Jan 8, 2008)
Reviewer:Emma Choi
Any new release by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki is cause for celebration, and this world premiere recording of his “Eighth Symphony,” written in 2005, is no exception. It’s a large-scale vocal work based on 19th and 20th Century poems by Goethe, Rilke and others that collectively address the cycle of birth, decay, death and rebirth from the perspective of man and his... Any new release by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki is cause for celebration, and this world premiere recording of his “Eighth Symphony,” written in 2005, is no exception. It’s a large-scale vocal work based on 19th and 20th Century poems by Goethe, Rilke and others that collectively address the cycle of birth, decay, death and rebirth from the perspective of man and his impact on the environment. As one might expect from such a big thematic canvas, the music embodies a dazzling range of textures and emotions. Those familiar with Penderecki’s avant-garde works may, however, be surprised at how tonal and accessible this symphony is. At this stage of his life, Penderecki no longer seems as preoccupied with being in the vanguard of musical experimentation. While his music is still complex and challenging, it’s assumed a sleeker, more romantic veneer that’s seen to brilliant effect in this latest work. His new symphony is scored for soprano, mezzo-soprano and baritone voices, choir and orchestra, with the instrumentation playing a vital, but clearly supporting role to the vocals. It’s like listening to a set of Lieder, only with larger and more complex musical accompaniment. The singers on this disc (members of the Warsaw National Philharmonic Choir) are profoundly engaged with the material and keenly in sync with the symphony’s many moods. The 12 movements, most of them fairly short, are by turns contemplative, elegiac and mournful, yet never angry or despairing. Indeed, this is among Penderecki’s most inspirational and uplifting works. Also on the disc is a new recording of “Dies Irae,” Penderecki’s 1967 musical response to the Holocaust. This is a much darker, more despairing work. It’s also much more abstract, with otherworldly vocal effects and some orchestral dissonances. Voices and instruments are so well integrated as to be almost indistinguishable at times. Penderecki’s brilliant synthesis makes for an unforgettable, deeply moving experience that both embraces and transcends his personal engagement with the subject matter. “Psalms of David” is an early vocal work (1958) for mixed choir, strings and percussion. The music is aggressive and challenging, and reveals Penderecki, then just 25, already manifesting impressive technical innovation and emotional commitment. (read more)