Szymanowski: King Roger

1. Król Roger (King Roger), opera in 3 acts, Op. 46, M55
   Composed by Karol Szymanowski
   Performed by Warsaw Wielki Theater Orchestra & Chorus
   with Jerzy Ostapiuk, Stanislaw Kowalski, Florian Skulski, Zdzislaw Ksiazek-Rozenau, Barbara Zagorzanka, Zdzislaw Nikodem, Emilia Piekarska, Ryszarda Racewicz
   Conducted by Robert Satanowski
   
   

Szymanowski: King Roger,Karol Szymanowski,Robert Satanowski,Warsaw Wiekli Theater Orchestra & Chorus,Barbara Zagorzanka,Emilia Piekarska,Florian Skulski,Jerzy Ostapiuk,Ryszarda Racewicz,Stanislaw Kowalski,Zdzislaw Ksiazek-Rozenau,Zdzislaw Nikodem,Koch Schwann (Germ.),Classical,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio,Polish 20th/21st Century Opera

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Average customer rating: A sensation nonetheless Frolicking with Ida and Vladimir Wow

Enescu, Bartók, Szymanowski: Works for Violin & Piano Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Enescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Polish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music ASIN: B00004DTQT Release Date: 2000-06-13

Tracks:

1. Mythes, Op.30: I La Fontaine d'Arethuse
2. Mythes, Op.30: II Narcisse
3. Mythes, Op.30: III Dryades et Pan
4. Violin Sonata No.3, Op.25: I Moderato malinconico
5. Violin Sonata No.3, Op.25: II Andante sostenuto e misterioso
6. Violin Sonata No.3, Op.25: III Allegro con brio, ma non troppo mosso
7. First Rhapsody: I Moderato
8. First Rhapsody: OO Allegretto moderato
9. Romanian Folkdances: I Stick Dance
10. Romanian Folkdances: II Sash Dance
11. Romanian Folkdances: III In One Spot
12. Romanian Folkdances: IV Dance Of Buchumi
13. Romanian Folkdances: V Romanian Dance
14. Romanian Folkdances: VI Fast Dance

Tracks:

1. Sonata In G Major, Op.30 No.3: I Allegro assai
2. Sonata In G Major, Op.30 No.3: II Tempo di minuetto
3. Sonata In G Major, Op.30 No.3: III Allegro vivace
4. Sonatina In G Minor, D408: I Allegro giusto
5. Sonatina In G Minor, D408: II Andante
6. Sonatina In G Minor, D408: III Allegro vivace
7. Sonatina In G Minor, D408: IV Allegro moderato
8. Waltz, Op.39 No.15
9. Tambourin chinois, Op.3
10. Schon Rosmarin
11. Zapateado, Op.23, No.2
12. Hebrew Melody
13. Scherzo tarantelle, Op.16
14. Malaguena, Op.71 No.6
15. Danza No.1 From la vida breve
16. Notturno e Tarantella, Op.28: Notturno
17. Notturno e Tarantella, Op.28: Tarantella
18. Roxane's Song From King Roger
19. Romanian Folkdances: I Joc cu bata
20. Romanian Folkdances: II Braul
21. Romanian Folkdances: III Pe loc
22. Romanian Folkdances: IV Buciumeana
23. Romanian Folkdances: V Poarga romanesca
24. Romanian Folkdances: VI Maruntel

Amazon.com

The new CD was recorded and issued to celebrate the 75th birthday of a legendary violinist who has never become a mainstream superstar. As Haendel's early recordings--like the ones on the bonus CD included here, or the concerto recordings on Testament--demonstrate, she has long been a patrician interpreter of the highest musical and technical standards. In fact, she may be a shade too patrician for some of the repertoire on this recording. With Ashkenazy in uncommonly vigorous and assertive form, Haendel, although always in command of the music and her instrument, doesn't play these mostly folk-based Eastern European showpieces with the kind of flair they invite. She is always sensible and never exactly sleepy, but her Enescu, for example, is much more polite than Menuhin's. The bonus CD, though, despite showing its age and mild lingering effects of Decca's noisy 78s pressings, gives us a more powerful, exciting Haendel, and it's worth more than the asking price of the set. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

A sensation nonetheless.......2003-12-07

Dependent upon what "mainstream" in the editorial review stands for - if that means Elman, Oistrakh, Perlman: the most selling violinists in the biggest market, Haendel is indeed off the mainstream. Otherwise, the more selling, the more they are off the mainstream instead, as most of the cases turn out to be.

But Haendel in this case did make it clear that she herself was not happy with the record. The causes? There are quite a number of them. Ashkenazy is a celebrity and he is selling. But is he the right partner for her for this repertiore? Could Eschenbach or even Zimmermann be a better choice? Would we have something quite different if this record comes out a decade or two ( or even three) earlier...?

In any event, not many of us are equally familiar with these pieces and so to many of us, they are fresh and appealing like nothing else. Haendel is still deservingly the Queen of the Violin, and hopefully Ashkensazy is as selling as ever.

Recommended for those who relish either Eastern Europe music or the drama and lyricism of Haendel's playing, or both.

Frolicking with Ida and Vladimir.......2000-08-04

Nearly a generation before Glenn Gould's towering 1955 recording of the Goldberg variations, Ida Haendel had recorded Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Kreisler and others on Decca. About a generation after Gould's 1982 swansong reprise of the Goldbergs, Ida Haendel was still firing on all eight cylinders (or was it four? Her birth year is variously reported as 1928 and 1924). This 2-CD set captures important fragments from both the early and more recent stages of this remarkable career.

Ida Haendel was wisked out of Poland by her parents in 1939, landed in London, studied with Carl Flesch and Henryk Szering and others, and by Henry Roth's count produced 83 phonograph records. On the first disk here, Ms. Haendel is graciously accompanied by superstar Vladimir Ashkenazy, who is especially exuberant and in top form technically as well. The two quite obviously had a fine old time frolicking together through Eastern European music by Enescu, Bartok and Szymanowski. The second disk, an extraordinary bonus, is a bit scratchy at times, but Haendel's youthful virtuousity is clearly revealed through the haze.

Wow.......2000-07-30

I just got this CD yesterday and am still listening and absorbing, but it has to be said that the bonus CD is truly remarkable, while the Haendel/Ashkenazy coupling in Szymanovsi's "Mythes" is stunning...very heroic and convincing music making done by both artists.

Average customer rating:

Karol Szymanowski: Songs with Orchestra Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Polish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Szymanowski: Harnasie (Ballet Pantomime) Op.55/Mandragora (Patomime), Op. 43/Etude For Orchestra In B Karol Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos. 3 ("Song of the Night") & 4 ("Symphonie Concertante"); Concert Overture Karol Szymanowski: Violin Concertos 1 & 2/Nocturne and Tarantella Karol Szymanowski: Stabat Mater Osvaldo Golijov: Ainadamar ASIN: B0000014EV Release Date: 1997-04-08

Tracks:

1. Love Songs of Hafiz (Piesni miosne Hafiza)
2. Songs of the Infatuated Muezzin (Piesni muezina szalonego)
3. Songs of a Fairy-Tale Princess(Piesni ksieznicki z basni)
4. Roxana's Song From King Roger(Piesn Roksany)
5. 3 Songs after a poem by Jan Kasprowicz: Holy God(swiety boze)
6. 3 Songs after a poem by Jan Kasprowicz: Blessed be that moment(Moja Piesn Wieczorna)
7. 3 Songs after a poem by Jan Kasprowicz: I am and Cry(Jestem i Placze)

Average customer rating:

King Roger Karol Szymanowski Manufacturer: CD Accord ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000KJTEVM Release Date: 2006-10-24

Average customer rating: A finely composed collection of not always substantial pieces, played with chic and juicy tone Isaac Stern At His Best ! !

Isaac Stern Presents Encores Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bloch | Bloch, Ernest | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leclair | Leclair, Jean Marie | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Milhaud | Milhaud, Darius | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Stern, Isaac | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Polish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Isaac Stern Presents Encores Wienawski, Bruch: Violin Concertos Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Double Concertos ASIN: B000002A91 Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

1. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Caprice Basque, Op. 24
2. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Sonata in D-Major, Op. 8 No. 3: Largo espressivo
3. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Perpetuum Mobile, Op. 5 No. 4
4. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Baal Shem: 'Nigun' (Improvisation)
5. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Sarabande Et Tambourin
6. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Serenade in D Major, K. 250 'Haffner': Rondeau Allegro
7. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Orpheus Et Euridyce: 'Melodie'
8. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Valse Sentimentale, Op. 5 No. 6
9. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Waldscenen, Op. 82: 'Bird As Prophet'
10. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Schon Rosmarin
11. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Slavonic Dance In E Minor, Op. 46 No. 2
12. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: King Roger, Op. 46: 'Chant De Roxane'
13. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Mythen, Op. 30: 'La Fontaine D'Arethuse'
14. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Firebird Suite: 'Berceuse'
15. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Hora Staccato
16. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: Saudades Do Brasil: 'Tijuca'
17. Romeo And Juliet: 'Danse Des Jeunes Filles Des Antilles'
18. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: 'Masques'
19. Spanish Popular Suite After Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas: 'El Pano Moruno'
20. Isaac Stern Presents Encores - Violin And Piano: 'Nana'
21. Spanish Popular Suite After Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas: 'Cancion'
22. Spanish Popular Suite After Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas: 'Polo'
23. Spanish Popular Suite After Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas: 'Asturiana'
24. Spanish Popular Suite After Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas: 'Jota'

Customer Reviews:

A finely composed collection of not always substantial pieces, played with chic and juicy tone.......2006-12-19

Volume 31 of Sony's Isaac Stern tribute "A life in music" brings together a collection of "encores", with recordings that date from the early years of the violinist's career: principally December 1947 and August 1952. The collection is assembled with taste, the 1947 recordings (Sarasate to Bloch and Dinicu to Falla - I don't know why Amazon lists Milhaud last, as it comes on track 16 out of 24) framing the ones from 1952. The sonics are excellent, with the piano sounding a bit subsidiary but the violin coming out excellently, and there's no gain in vividness that I can perceive in the 1952 violin when compared to the one from 1947. All the 1947 recordings were published on a single Columbia LP by the way (ML 4324), while the ones from 1952 were scattered on various records, and three of them never released until this CD.

And these three previously unpublished pieces are not always trifles: Jean-Marie Leclair's Sarabande et Tambourin (in Kreisler's arrangement) can qualifiy as such, and perhaps even Szymanowski's "Chant de Roxane" from his opera King Roger in Kochanski's arrangement, but certainly not the same's "La Fontaine d'Aréthuse", the 2nd movement of "Mythes", his (second) violin and piano sonata in all but name. Stern's recording makes one lament that he did not record the complete work.

By essence the pieces are snippets, not always substantial, but played by Stern with chic and his customary juicy tone, and Zakin is an efficient partner. My favorite are those with a folk-music tinge: the Jewishness of Bloch's Nigun, the 2nd movement of his "Baal Sheem" violin and piano suite, which Stern went on to record complete with Zakin in 1961 (now on volume 28 of the Sony Stern collection), the middle-east inspired melismae of Szymanowski's pieces, Dinicu's "Hora Staccato" in Heifetz' arrangement (the epitome of the wild Gipsy violin), Falla's Spanish Popular Suite (Kochanski's arrangement again).

There's more substantial stuff on other issues from this Isaac Stern tribute (hence my four-star rating), and this one to be fully appreciated needs perhaps to be heard bit by bit rather than complete, but there is some exceptional music and music-making here.

Isaac Stern At His Best ! !.......2001-11-21

It's hard for me to believe no one has reviewed this CD! This CD contains encores for Violin and Piano played by one of the greatest violinist of the Century, Isaac Stern along with his life long accompanist Alexander Zakin.

Here is Stern at his best..The Technique, the Tone, the Shadings, and the Coloring are all perfect. All these recordings on this CD come from in my opinion, Stern's best period... the Late 40's early 50's.

His recordings of the Melodie by Gluck and Bird as a Prophet by Schumann are the best I ever heard..and that is including the recordings by Heifetz, Oistrakh, Milstein and Perlman. What a Beautiful Sound!. Also this CD contains previously unreleased material.

Average customer rating: Great Discovery Exciting performance

Szymanowski - King Roger Karol Szymanowski , Karol Stryja , Antoni Wit , Andrzej Hiolski , Wieslaw Ochman , Barbara Zagorzanka , Henryk Grychnik , Leonard Andrzej Mroz , Anna Malewicz-Madey , Polish State Philharmonic Orchestra , and Polish State Philharmonic Chorus Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Polish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Karol Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos. 3 ("Song of the Night") & 4 ("Symphonie Concertante"); Concert Overture Szymanowski: Harnasie (Ballet Pantomime) Op.55/Mandragora (Patomime), Op. 43/Etude For Orchestra In B Karol Szymanowski: Songs with Orchestra Karol Szymanowski: Stabat Mater Albéniz: Iberia; Granados: Goyescas ASIN: B00000I7S3 Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

1. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - Hagios! Hagios!
2. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - Entry Of The King And Court: Boze, poblogoslaw!
3. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - Czys slyzat? (King Roger) (What Do You Say?)
4. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - The Sheperd Appears : Oto bluznierica! (Chorus) (Wretched Blasphemer!)
5. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - Moj Bog jest piekny (Sheperd) (My God Is Young And Handsome)
6. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - W jego usmiechu! (Roxane) (His Smiling Face!)
7. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - Twoj Bog! (Roxane) (Your God!)
8. King Roger: Act I: In The Church - Niech odejdzie Pasterz (King Rodger (He Must Go, The Sheperd)
9. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Introduction: Niepokoj bladych qwiazd (King Roger) (How Pale The Stars Shine)
10. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Czy widziales jej oczu blask
11. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Cyt! Tamburyny brezecza (Erdrisi) (Listen! Tambourine And zither)
12. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Ktos mglisty prezeszedt (King Roger) ( A Shadow Passed There)
13. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - The Shepperd Appears
14. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - O pryzychodze sam (Sheperd) (See, I Have Come To You)
15. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - A, uspij swoj lek i gniew (Roxane) (Ah, Set Aside Anger And Wrath)
16. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - We mnie wierzaq! (Sheperd) (By Faith!)
17. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Tajemaych glebin (Sheperd) (With This Land I Wake The Deep Secret)
18. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Dance Of Shepherd's Followers
19. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Entrance Of Roxane: A-, A- (Chorus)
20. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Soldier seise the Sheperd: kto smie moj czar (Sheperd) (Who Would Bind Me)
21. King Roger: Act II: The Inner Coutyard Of The Palace - Sluchajcie ... W ciszy nocy (Sheperd) (Hear ... In The Silience Of The Night)

Tracks:

1. King Roger: Act III: The Ruins Of A Greek Theatre - Introduction
2. King Roger: Act III: The Ruins Of A Greek Theatre - Rogerze! Rogerze! (Roxane) (Listen! Only The Sound Of The Gentle Flute)
3. King Roger: Act III: The Ruins Of A Greek Theatre - Na Sad Na Sad (Chorus) (Yield To Justice, King)
4. King Roger: Act III: The Ruins Of A Greek Theatre - Slyzysz! Jeno cichy Flenti Spiew (Roxane) (Listen! Only The Sound Of The Gentle Flute!)
5. King Roger: Act III: The Ruins Of A Greek Theatre - Rogerze! Rogerze! (Sheperd) (Roger! Roger!)
6. King Roger: Act III: The Ruins Of A Greek Theatre - Edrisi, juz swit! (King Roger) (Erdisi, day dawns!)
7. King Roger: Act III: The Ruins Of A Greek Theatre - Stonce! Stonce! (King Roger) (The Sun! The Sun!)
8. Prince Potemkin: Incidental Music To Act V

Customer Reviews:

Great Discovery.......2004-06-08

I picked up this little known opera by this early 20th Century Polish composer out of curiosity. What a discovery!!! This is a true bargain, a nicely priced recording of a beautiful opera in a fine performance and recording. As soon as I heard the opening chorus I was hooked. This work deserves to be better known and would play well on any major opera stage in the world. This is a lush, exotic, tuneful piece of music. Don't hesititate to shell out the relatively few dollars for this record. You will not regret your purchase.

Exciting performance.......2001-07-26

As my comments on the recent Rattle/Hampson recording of this opera have indicated, I have been delighted by the discovery of "King Roger," an opera I had not heard before a few weeks ago. I was curious to hear another performance, and so acquired this recording and have only increased my enthusiasm for the work. This performance features more robust and assertive performances by the singers and a somewhat more driving style from the conductor. Where Rattle's performance is elegant and sumptuous, conductor Karol Stryja creates an intense dramatic atmosphere that has a rougher but still powerful quality. The singers are all strong, though the voices would not be characterized as conventionally beautiful. Barbara Zagorzanka's Roxana is more powerful than Szmytka on the Rattle set, but her voice gets wiry and tense in the upper register. Both Andrzej Hiolski's King Roger and Henryk Grychnik's Edrisi are strongly sung and acted. The role of the Shepherd is the weak link on this recording, as is the case on the Rattle--it seems to be a very demanding role and needs a tenor who combines lyric qualities with the power of a heldentenor. The orchestra and chorus are very fine, but not as consistently powerful as Rattle's forces. Overall, this recording can be strongly recommended, if only because it is so inexpensive and makes available a wonderful opera at a very reasonable price.

Average customer rating: I Can Only Rave Interesting Assault of the sensuous... An Exotic Masterpiece A new enthusiasm

Szymanowski - King Roger · Symphony No.4 / Sir Simon Rattle Karol Szymanowski , Simon Rattle , Thomas Hampson , Elzbieta Szmytka , Ryszard Minkiewicz Philip Langridge , Leif Ove Andsnes , and City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Orchestra Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Polish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Szymanowski: Harnasie (Ballet Pantomime) Op.55/Mandragora (Patomime), Op. 43/Etude For Orchestra In B Karol Szymanowski: Piano Sonata No. 3; Métopes; Masques Karol Szymanowski: Stabat Mater Karol Szymanowski: Stabat Mater/Litany/Symphony No.3 Szymanowski: Harnasie; Orchestral Songs ASIN: B00000K4EM Release Date: 1999-09-21

Tracks:

1. King Roger: Hagios! Hagios! - Archbishop
2. King Roger: Boze poblogoslaw Panie praodwieszny - Archbishop, Deaconess
3. King Roger: Czys slyszal? - Roger, Edris, Archbishop, Deaconess, Roxana
4. King Roger: Oto bluznierca! - Roger, Shepherd
5. King Roger: Moj Bog jest piekny jako ja - Shepherd, Archbishop, Deaconess, Roxana, Roger
6. King Roger: W jego usmiechu! - Roxana, Roger, Shepherd, Deaconess, Archbishop, Edrisi
7. King Roger: Niech odejdzie Pasterz - Roger, Roxana, Shepherd
8. King Roger: (Orchestra)
9. King Roger: Niepokoj bladych gwiazd - Roger, Edrisi
10. King Roger: A...!...Roksana! Jej spiew! - Roxana, Roger, Edrisi
11. King Roger: Ktos mglisty prezeszedl miedzy straza! - Roger, Edrisi, Shepherd
12. King Roger: O przychodze sam, jako kazales, Krolu - Shepherd, Roger
13. King Roger: A...! Uspij Swoj lek i gniew, Rogerze! - Roxana, Shepherd, Roger, Edrisi
14. King Roger: Tajemnych glebin zycia zar wszechmocno - Shepherd
15. King Roger: Dance Of The Shepherd's followers
16. King Roger: Roxana's entrance - Roxana, Shepherd, Roger
17. King Roger: Kto smie moj czar lancuchem petac robow? - Shepherd, Roxana
18. King Roger: Sluchajie...W ciszy nocy, sluchajcie - Shepherd, Roxana, Roger, Edrisi
19. King Roger: Appendix: Roxana's Aria With Concert Ending - Roxana, Roger, Edrisi

Tracks:

1. King Roger: (Orchestra)
2. King Roger: Wokol martwota glazow - Roger, Edrisi
3. King Roger: Rogerze! Rogerze! - Roxana, Edrisi, Roger, Shepherd,
4. King Roger: Na sad, na sad staw - Roger, Shepherd, Edrisi, Roxana
5. King Roger: Syc ofiarny - Roxana, Roger, Shepherd
6. King Roger: Edrisi, juz swit
7. King Roger: Slorice! - Roger
8. Symphony No. 4: Moderato: Tempo comodo
9. Symphony No. 4: Andante molto sostenuto
10. Symphony No. 4: Allegro non troppo, ma agitato ed ansioso

Amazon.com essential recording

Szymanowski was concerned with philosophical and moral questions as well as writing music, and King Roger (completed in 1926) is an opera of ideas rather than events, centering on the eternal conflict between Apollo and Dionysus, between reason and the unconscious. The action (such as it is) takes place on a single night: a mysterious shepherd appears at the court of Roger, the enlightened 12th-century King of Sicily, and leads the people and Roger's beloved wife, Roxana, in an orgiastic dance and then off to a "Land of Ecstasy"; the shepherd reveals himself as the god Dionysus, but Roger, while accepting him, turns in the end to the rising sun of Apollo. The music is fervent, harmonically dense, and richly impressionistic, the chorus plays a significant role, and Rattle's Birmingham forces are excellent in this production. However, the singers are no more than adequate; the ubiquitous Thomas Hampson seems uncomfortable with the Polish text, Elzbieta Szmytka lacks the warmth and sensuality required for Roxana, and Ryszard Minkiewicz's sweet tenor is too light for the shepherd-god. The set is filled out by a splendid performance of Symanowski's 4th Symphony, with Leif Ove Andsnes outstanding at the piano, in better sound than the opera. --Alex Morin

Customer Reviews:

I Can Only Rave.......2007-05-27

I have been under the spell of this incredible recording for several months now and became easily convinced years before that Szymanowski is one of the great composers. The Rattle recordings are certainly advancing the cause brilliantly. I cannot recommend this recording more enthusiastically.

First, I would strongly differ with some of the other reviewers regarding the singing. It works. Roxana is beautifully sung with great purity and focus. I would not ask for better. Hampson does just fine vocally and the charecterization is subtle and on point. Others have complained about the shepherd, but Minkiewicz has great intonation (crucially important in Szymanowski), and in most ranges the voice is quite beautiful. If anything, I find the more I listen, the more I am convinced.

The orchestra and chorus are terrific. The Sinfonia Concertante is a worthwhile bonus - not in a league with the 2nd Violin Concerto, written about the same time, and as others have observed rather far removed from the world of King Roger, but enjoyable and very well played.

Interesting.......2004-03-20

This opera has a rather unusual basis. It is inspired by Euripides' Bacchae. The theme is the conflict between Apollonian rationality and Dionysian passion. Perhaps to set the stage for the lush, if not to say deliberately exotic, music, it is set not in Greece or contemporary Europe but in Medieval Sicily. The theme and music are very interesting. The composer uses what can only be described as a hyper-romantic 'palette' of orchestral and vocal effects. The overall effect is often lovely though the unrelenting attempts to produce uniformly and self-consciously gorgeous music can be a bit hypnotic. I suspect this piece might not be particularly successful on stage. The theme is rather intellectual, the action is series of relatively static scenes, and the demands for a large orchestra and elaborate staging are considerable. The libretto is in Polish, which would also be an obstacle to performance in most of the world. This is a good recording. The orchestral work is excellent. I agree with several other reviewers that the soloists are adequate but not outstanding.

Assault of the sensuous..........2003-07-14

Szymanowski is truly an original composer, and "Krol Roger" is a work that boggles the mind with it's endlessly surprising originality. Szymanowski takes the qualities that I admire most in music--extreme chromaticism, imaginative use of orchestral color, obsessive atmosphere, and terrible romantic yearning, and pushes them all up a notch. In some of his music, these qualities are so intense that the music almost loses direction, but not so with "Krol Roger". He gets it just right. The story is strange and mysterious. He's obviously getting at something. The traditional explanation is that it's about his homosexuality, but it's interesting to note that against the will of his librettist, Szymanowski has King Roger resist the call of the shepherd, and instead he yearns for his lost wife.

I'm not an expert on singing. I know when I enjoy it, and I enjoyed this recording immensly. The sound is also of the highest order. The filler is nice, too, but from a later period in Szymanowski's music that is a little more toned down.

An Exotic Masterpiece.......2002-01-31

King Roger has one of the more interesting stories among modern opera. This updating of Dionysus spreading his new religion is reminiscent of the story of Pentheus except King Roger is overcome by the beauty and mystery of the new religion. The orchestration is exotic and lush, and Simon Rattle and his City of Birmingham Orchestra play the score beautifully with every nuance present.

I have to agree, in general, with the opinion of the reviewers here that the singing leaves something to be desired. Ryszard Minkiewicz as the shepherd/Dionysus sings as if his voice is often almost strained to cracking. Elbieta Szmytka as Roxana sings quite beautifully for the majority of the opera and on occasion the vibrato in her voice becomes too much. Thomas Hampson, I think truly captures King Roger and is the highlight of this recording. I cannot agree that he has difficulty with the Polish language and is in excellent voice for the entire opera. I have read the Gramophone review that was mentioned by another reviewer and I would agree that it is generous in the singing department. Perhaps more astonishing is that this King Roger was voted the best opera recording for the 1999 awards. I am not sure what criteria were examined in making this decision but perhaps it was the fact that this opera is rarely heard, and needs to be performed more often, that Gramophone reviewers championed it.

Overall, the recording is beautifully done and if one can get by the singing of Minkiewicz it is a rewarding experience. The Symphony No. 4 compliments the opera's lush orchestration and so is marvelous filler. This is music that can transport you indeed.

A new enthusiasm.......2001-07-26

I have only recently encountered this opera, having acquired Rattle's recording a few weeks ago and, since, having also bought and listened to the Naxos recording. That fact may indicate that I consider this little-known opera a major find--sumptuous, passionate, a work that I will return to many times, I am sure, and would love to see produced. I decided to comment here because I really cannot agree with either of the earlier comments. It is probably true that a Polish speaker would find Hampson's singing of that language a bit uncomfortable--I am not competent to judge that. But his singing is, as I always find it, sensitive and intelligent, and though he does not throw himself into characterization (as does Andrzej Hiolski on the Naxos set), he projects a clear sense of the dramatic conflict confronted by King Roger. I also cannot concur with the condemnation of Szmytka's Roxana. Her voice is light but well-controlled and she manages to negotiate the vocal line effectively. True, it would be interesting to hear, for example, Renee Fleming in the role, but I find this Roxana completely satisfying. (Barbara Zagorzanka, on the Naxos set, has a bigger and broader voice, but is very wiry in the upper register--I don't object to it, but her sound is also not the kind of warm, sensuous quality that seems to be desired.) I would agree that the tenor singing the Shepherd is not outstanding (but neither is the corresponding role on the Naxos disk, though that tenor is stronger overall.) On the whole, this recording is a powerful and beautiful introduction to a superb opera. I think most opera lovers would find it much more than satisfactory.

Average customer rating:

Henri Temianka: The Parlophone Recordings, 1935-1939 Manufacturer: Biddulph Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Polish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000009J9O Release Date: 1994-08-17

Average customer rating: Indeed a legacy!

My Legacy Manufacturer: Artek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Rosand, Aaron | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Aaron Rosand Plays Sarasate ASIN: B0000A4G5F Release Date: 2003-07-29

Customer Reviews:

Indeed a legacy!.......2007-05-23

Aaron Rosand has always been one for playing nonconventional as well as conventional repertoire. Szymanowski's "Three Myths", op. 15 and "Nocturne and Tarantelle", "Chant de Roxane" occupy the first part of the disc. The first two myths and the Chant are played well - perhaps not the most interesting of interpretations, but not at all displeasing. Rosand does splendid work in the third myth, "Dryades et Pan" and the passages of harmonics make the 'flute of Pan' come alive. The "Nocturne and Tarantelle" is great, too. However, Hugh Sung's piano accompaniment
frequently swamps Rosand. It should be added that the piano accompaniments of Szymanowski are monumentally challenging - only the finest accompanists in the world can play them accurately. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Rosand plays the "ex-Kochanski" Guarnieri violin, the very instrument on which all of these works were premiered, by Szymanowski's close friend and superlative fiddler Paul Kochanski.
Some Chopin Nocturnes follow; these get a nice, warm treatment as well. Thankfully, several violinist-composers (Milstein, Sarasate, Wilhelmj and others) transcribed many of them, so Chopin can be played on the violin too. Three pieces by Wieniawski round out the disc - "Capriccio Valse", "Alla Saltarella", and "Souvenir de Moscou." Wieniawski's polonaises and "Scherzo Tarantelle" and "Legende" are usually the only things of his that are played anymore. Thankfully, Rosand replaced them with these other three much more interesting numbers. The "Souvenir de Moscou" is excellent, with Sung accompanying very well. Great CD. If you don't know Rosand's playing, get to know it with this disc.

Average customer rating: Excellent!

The Virtuoso Jascha Heifetz Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Clérambault,Louis-Nicolas | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Paganini, Niccolò | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Heifetz, Jascha | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Polish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jascha Heifetz - The Decca Masters Volume 1 ASIN: B000000WMY Release Date: 1993-11-15

Tracks:

1. Tzigane
2. Caprice, Op. 1 - 13
3. Caprice, Op. 1 - 20
4. Caprice, Op. 1 - 24
5. La plus que lente - Valse
6. La Ronde des Lutins, Op. 25
7. Auf fl
8. Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16
9. Sevillanas
10. Largo On G String
11. Chant De Roxane
12. Zapateado, Op. 23 - 6
13. Polonaise Brilliante In D Major, Op. 4
14. Prde ('L'Enfant Prodigue')
15. Havanaise, Op. 83

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2003-01-07

This is a wonderful recording of short pieces. Heifetz plays everything wonderfully-Tzigane in particular. My only reservation is the sound, which is disapointing. This still comes highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

20th Century Miniatures, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Somm Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000056UYG Release Date: 2001-01-23

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