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Weinberg: Symphony No 8 "Polish Flowers" / Wit, Warsaw Philharmonic

Weinberg / Wit / Warsaw Philharmonic Orch & Choir
Release Date: 02/26/2013 
Label:  Naxos   Catalog #: 8572873   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Mieczyslaw Weinberg
Performer:  Ewa Marciniec,  Magdalena Dobrowolska,  Rafal Bartminski
Conductor:  Antoni Wit
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra,  Warsaw Philharmonic Chorus
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 0 Hours 59 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

Although he never returned to his native Poland after the Second World War, Mieczyslaw Weinberg never lost touch with his roots. His Eighth symphony of 1964 is a setting of 10 poems (in Polish) of poet Julian Tuwim for chorus, tenor, and orchestra, with brief contributions from soprano and alto soloists as well. The subjects range from images of nature (Gust of Spring, There was an Orchard, Elderberry) to social injustice (Lessons, Justice), to the depredations of the Nazi years (Warsaw Dogs, Mother). The music is compelling, often haunting, and quite touching. Weinberg’s scoring is sparse and for the most part restrained, keeping power in reserve for the central poems about cruelty and inhumanity (Lesson, Warsaw Dogs), while his vocal Read more writing gets the most out of simple melodies that carefully project the text.

Antoni Wit and his Warsaw forces are almost always at their best in choral music (remember the stunning Mahler Eighth and vocal works of Penderecki). The chorus sings with the right purity and, where called for, intensity. Tenor Rafal Bartminski has a pleasing timbre and makes a very effective soloist. Both women handle their small parts as well as anyone could ask, and the whole production is very well recorded. Naxos makes texts and translations available on its website, fortunately, as the music really does ask that you know what the singing is all about. This is a very fine release of music by an elusive but tremendously sincere and worthy composer.

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording

1. Symphony no 8, Op. 83 "Polish Flowers" by Mieczyslaw Weinberg
Performer:  Ewa Marciniec (Alto), Magdalena Dobrowolska (Soprano), Rafal Bartminski (Tenor)
Conductor:  Antoni Wit
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra,  Warsaw Philharmonic Chorus

Sound Samples

Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): I. Podmuch wiosny (Gust of Spring)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): II. Baluckie dzieci (Children of Baluty)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): III. Przed stara chata (In Front of the Old Hut)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): IV. Byl sad (There was an Orchard)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): V. Bez (Elderberry)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): VI. Lekcja (Lesson)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): VII. Warszawskie psy (Warsaw Dogs)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): VIII. Matka (Mother)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): IX. Sprawiedliwosc (Justice)
Symphony No. 8, Op. 83, "Tveti Pol'shi" (Polish Flowers): X. Wisla plynie (The Vistula flows)

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