Album insights
Karol Szymanowski, a renowned composer, once requested a seat at a Rubinstein concert where he wouldn't be visible. While his uniqueness as a composer is gaining recognition, his musical journey reflects influences from German, French, and Eastern European styles. Despite these influences, his compositions stand out with their intensely expressive, mystical essence, creating a rich and exotic sonic world.
Szymanowski's early work, the Four Etudes, Opus 4, resonates with influences from Chopin and German classical and romantic music. Notably, his pieces bear resemblances to Skrjabin's Etudes Op. 8. The Fantasie Opus 14, a reaction to Liszt's music, showcases a complex structure that hints at Liszt's influence not only formally but stylistically. Métopes, a collection of three tone poems composed in 1915, marks Szymanowski's shift towards a personal "impressionistic" style, drawing inspiration from Homer's Odyssey.
Masques, composed in 1915/16, contains intricate piano pieces reflecting narrative arcs. The first piece, reminiscent of Scheherazade's allure from Arabian Nights, exhibits influences from Skrjabin. Meanwhile, Tantris der clown, based on a parody of the Tristan legend, musically renders the antics of a passionate lover. Lastly, Don Juan's Serenade, with a fantastical tone and a Moorish-inspired melody, showcases a blend of transformational components leading to a passionate climax.