Exoticism: The Music of Karol Szymanowski / Jerzy Kaplanek, violin; Stéphan Sylvestre, piano

Recommendation

Karol Szymanowksi was Poland's most celebrated composer from the first half of the 20th century. Titled 'Exoticism', this recent release on the Canadian Marquis label contains the composer's significant works for violin and piano performed by Jerzy Kaplanek and Stéphan Sylvestre.

The earliest work on the program, the Sonata in D minor, Op. 9 (1904) is from a time when Szymanowski's compositional style largely reflected music of the Romantic period, notably of Wagner, Strauss, Reger and Scriabin. However, a foreshadowing of music Szymanowski would produce about a decade later can be heard here, especially in the harmonic colorations. It is from this later period that the remaining works on the program are drawn. Here, Szymanowski's style has grown much more complex, an amalgam of many influences.

The sample of the album provided is the Tarantella from Nocturne and Tarantella, Op. 28 (1915). In it you can hear some of these influential affects as diverse as French Impressionism, Polish folk music, Aestheticism, Mysticism, modal tonalities and Mediterranean and Eastern influences. Szymanowski has bound all this into his own rhapsodic and intensely sensuous expressiveness, made more intricate as his cantabile lines are layered with technical embellishments. It is this sound that defines the title of the album, 'Exoticism'.

The writing for both instruments is very challenging, and these two artists deliver performances of a balanced, expressive virtuosity.

Album Overview

Stephan Sylvestre: "Szymanowski's music explores the same territories as the French Impressionism. Just look at all the subtleties in shaping colors and shades. It is all very subtly done. Szymanowski's music is undoubtedly extremely refined and "multicultural", where Polish, French, Mediterranean and Eastern sources of inspiration meet."

Jerzy Kaplanek: "Szymanowski's cantabile, melodic writing is very "vocal". His music, like that of Debussy or Bartok, has an appeal so immediate, that it still puzzles me why it has not become a staple of the standard repertoire until the closing decade of the 20th- Century! Luckily - it is getting its due now."

Violinist Jerzy Kaplanek was born in Poland in 1965 and it was there that he received his early music training, first in piano and then violin. He holds degrees from the State Music Conservatory in Bytom (B.Mus.) and the celebrated Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. A member of the Penderecki String Quartet, as well as a critically acclaimed soloist, chamber musician, teacher and adjudicator, Mr. Kaplanek is in great demand and has performs throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Stephan Sylvestre ranks among the most sought-after and brilliant Canadian pianists of the new generation and has received lavish praise from critics on both sides of the Atlantic: "...his natural talent reminds one of the great Artur Rubinstein..." La Presse, Montreal; "... reminiscent of the young Kempff" La Scena Musicale, Canada; "...brilliant virtuosity..." Flovo Cultury, Czech Republic; "...such effortless simplicity is a joy." by Edinburgh Guide.

Source: Marquis Music

Karol Szymanowski, composer	Karol Szymanowski, composer Karol Maciej Szymanowski (1882 – 1937) was a Polish composer and pianist, considered one of the greatest Polish composers of the 20th century. His oeuvre has been divided into three periods. In the first, he showed the influence of the late Romantic German school as well as the early works of Alexander Scriabin, exemplified by his Étude Op. 4 No. 3, as well as his first two symphonies. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Szymanowski
Jerzy Kaplanek, violin	Jerzy Kaplanek, violin Jerzy Kaplanek , violinist,  member of the Penderecki String Quartet, was born in Poland in 1965.  His music schooling started at the age of six on piano and at the age of ten he commenced his violin studies.  wlu.ca/homepage.php?grp_id=1160&f_id=29
Stéphan Sylvestre, piano	Stéphan Sylvestre, piano Stéphan Sylvestre ranks among the most sought-after and brilliant Canadian pianists of the new generation, and enjoys a very active performing career as a recitalist, orchestra soloist, chamber musician and recording artist. Critics on both sides of the Atlantic have bestowed lavish praise on his performances. www.stephansylvestre.com

 

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