“I have to say I am very content with the whole – again all kinds of new notes – but also a little returning to the old; the whole thing awfully fantastic and unexpected,” wrote Karol Szymanowski about his Violin Concerto No. 1 in a letter to his friend. The work is recognised as the first “modern” violin concerto, in which the composer rejects the 19th-century tradition and introduces a new music language full of ecstatic raptures and tension, boldly leading the listeners into the 20th century.
Jean Sibelius once said, “My second symphony is a confession of the soul.” He started the work in winter 1901 in Italy, shortly after the successful premiere of the popular Finlandia. Although Sibelius categorically denied any programmatic or political readings, claiming that his symphonies are pure absolute music, the public generally believes it was connected with the struggle for Finland's independence, as it was written at a time of Russian sanctions on Finnish language and culture.
Karol Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 1 Op. 35
Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 43
Joanna Konarzewska – violin
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra
Dawid Runtz – conductor
(photo by P. Rodak)
