About the composer
Karol Szymanowski (1883 - 1937) was born in Tymoszówka, Ukraine, and is regarded as one
of the founders of modern Polish music, elaborating on the work of Chopin and Scriabin. In
his opinion religious music should above all express feelings, and as a consequence he
preferred Polish over Latin. Furthermore, the composition should be religious, but not
liturgical. According to the musicologists he excellently succeeded to do this in his
Stabat Mater.
| Date | 1926 |
| Performers | Soprano, alto, baritone, mixed choir and orchestra |
| Length | 23.21 minutes (CD 1), 21.20 minutes (CD 2) |
| Particulars | The work is divided into six sections. After a solemn opening the second part sounds like a funeral procession. In the fourth part the soloists are accompanied by an a cappella four-part chorus. The fifth part is very dramatic and builds up to a tremendous climax. |
| Textual variations | The text is sung in Polish and the Polish translation follows the original text close in rhythm and rhyming scheme. Szymanowski was adamant that in Poland the Polish text should be used. As far as I can deduce from the English, French and German translations, the "Analecta"-text has been used. |
| CD 1 | EMI Classics 7243 5 55121 2: Szymanowski |
| About this CD | Dedicated to three major sacred works of Szymanowski,
composed in the later part of his life. Recorded in the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, England, in April 1993. |
| Orchestra | City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra |
| Choir | City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus |
| Conductor | Simon Rattle |
| Soloists | Elzbieta Szmytka, soprano Florence Quivar, mezzo-soprano John Connell, bass |
| Other works | Litany to the Virgin Mary Symphony no.3 "Song of the Night" |
| Added | Unknown (SZY 01) |
| CD 2 | KRO ES47.445 : Stabat Mater |
| About this CD | The recording of the sixth concert organized by the Dutch
Stabat Mater Foundation. Recorded at the Sint Petrus Church, Oirschot, in March 2004. |
| Orchestra | Het Brabants Orkest |
| Choir | Brabant Koor |
| Conductor | Marc Soustrot |
| Soloists | Izabella Klosinska, soprano Bea Robein, mezzo-soprano Andreas Jankowitsch, bariton |
| Other works | Franz Liszt: Stabat Mater |
E-mail:
stabatmater@dds.nl