SZYMANOWSKI: SYMPHONIES NOS. 2 & 4; STABAT MATER - GERGIEV, LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) Symphony No.2 & No.4*; Stabat Mater **

Valery Gergiev
London Symphony
Orchestra & Chorus
Denis Matsuev (piano)*
Kostas Smoriginas **
Ekaterina Gubanova **
Sally Matthews **

[2nd] “a natural inheritor of Scriabinesque exoticism, Szymanowski brings out the best in Scriabin’s most imaginative interpreters, which is why Gergiev proves such a convincing interpreter … excellent playing from the LSO” [4th] “Matsuev has his feet…firmly planted on terra firma … the gorgeous return to lushness in the second movement suggests an almost Ravelian sensibility…Matsuev and Gergiev turn the finale into Szymanowski’s danse generale.” (Gramophone)

[Stabat Mater] “is beautiful and Gergiev has the full measure of its 23 gorgeous minutes.” (MusicWeb)

Symphony No.2 in B flat major, Op.19 [29:33]
1. I. Allegro Moderato. Grazioso 11:18
2. II. Theme – III. Variation I – IV. Variation II 4:34
3. V. Variation III – VI. Variation IV – VII. Variation V 6:44
4. VIII. Finale Introduction – Variation VI – IX. Finale – Fugue 6:56
Stabat Mater [23:25]

5. I. Stabat mater dolorosa 7:13
6. II. Quis est homo qui non fleret 2:09
7. III. O, Eia, Mater, fons amoris 4:01
8. IV. Fac me tecum pie flere 2:44
9. V. Virgo virginum praeclara 2:49
10. VI. Christe, cum sit hinc exire 4:27
Symphony No.4* ‘Sinfonie Concertante’ Op.60 [23:00]

11. I. Moderato – Tempo comodo 9:24
12. II. Andante molto sostenuto 7:31
13. III. Allegro non troppo, ma agitato ed ansioso 6:04