Composer Karol Szymanowski was
born in the Ukraine, once part of the kingdom of Poland, but studied in Warsaw,
where he was much influenced by Chopin and then by Wagner, Richard Strauss,
Brahms and Reger. Musically he is able to draw on specifically Polish material,
or be inspired by his own perceptions of Arabic and Persian culture.
Among the best known of Szymanowski's
smaller scale works is this Notturno and
Tarantella from 1915. The Notturno begins with lapping chords on
piano and a mysterious, Oriental-sounding phrase in the violin. This opens into
songful writing that soon develops greater rhythmic impetus and expressive
immediacy. With barely a pause, the Tarantella
launches both instruments into a dialogue as intense musically as
it is virtuosic technically. At length, the underlying dance rhythm drives the
music forward to a decisive and scintillating close. Michael Cansfield
Classical Music | Violin Music
Karol Szymanowski
Notturno and Tarantella, Op. 28 Play
Recorded on 12/11/2007, uploaded on 01/20/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Notturno and Tarantella, Op 28 Karol Szymanowski
Composer Karol Szymanowski was born in the Ukraine, once part of the kingdom of Poland, but studied in Warsaw, where he was much influenced by Chopin and then by Wagner, Richard Strauss, Brahms and Reger. Musically he is able to draw on specifically Polish material, or be inspired by his own perceptions of Arabic and Persian culture.
Among the best known of Szymanowski's smaller scale works is this Notturno and Tarantella from 1915. The Notturno begins with lapping chords on piano and a mysterious, Oriental-sounding phrase in the violin. This opens into songful writing that soon develops greater rhythmic impetus and expressive immediacy. With barely a pause, the Tarantella launches both instruments into a dialogue as intense musically as it is virtuosic technically. At length, the underlying dance rhythm drives the music forward to a decisive and scintillating close. Michael Cansfield
More music by Karol Szymanowski
The ill-tempered starling (Nikczemny szpak)
Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35
Etude Op. 4 No. 1
Mazurka No. 2, Op. 50
Saint Christina (Swieta Krystyna)
Fantasy in C Major, Op.14
Notturno and Tarantella, Op. 28
Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35
Danse Paysanne from Harnasie
Mazurka no. 1, op. 50
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in A minor, Op. 105
Violin Sonata In F Major (without Op. No.)
Sonata No. 1 in f minor, Op. 80 for violin and piano
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