FELIKS NOWOWIEJSKI (1877-1946): Symphony No. 2, Op. 52, Symphony No. 3, Op. 53.
Catalogue Number: 04T001
Label: Dux
Reference: 1446
Format: CD
Price: $18.98
Description: Around 1934 Nowowiejski spent a period in Paris where the most important influence on his later style was Albert Roussel. The Third (1940), a big work of 42 minutes in four movements is in many ways indebted to Roussel’s Third although Debussy pops up once or twice. The Second (1935) starts like it’s Villa-Lobos’ missing symphony and its insistent use of rhythm is announced in its subtitle. This is a 32-minute single-movement piece whose main theme is varied over and over again with a “Concerto for Orchestra” type of orchestration including piano and percussion. By the time it reaches its conclusion you are also put in mind of Stravinsky and Bartók in their primitivist folk-music stage. The conductor adds Szymanowski to the comparanda in his booklet note in hailing Nowowiejski’s verve and orchestral virtuosity. NOTE: Expect back-orders because Dux only sent 15 copies to their U.S. distributor to start off with. Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra; Łukasz Borowicz.