Orchestral Works 3

The second in the ongoing Naxos series of Penderecki's orchestral works, this disc features two of his seven symphonies, written about twenty years apart from each other and yet sounding thoroughly like middle-to-late period Penderecki - the avant-garde and the neo-romantic rolled into one. Penderecki wrote his Symphony No. 5 in 1991-92 and decided to leave it as one gigantic 37-minute movement instead of breaking it up into smaller sections, but there are definite changes in tempo that indicate a passage to a new section within the big movement. The orchestra is typically big - 100 players - with many important parts for trumpets and percussion throughout. The work begins with strings and tam-tam echoing the sounds of a Korean folksong, and this melody permeates the entire work. Also noticeable are references to other Penderecki works, most notably to his Flute Concerto written in the same year. The last five minutes of the work are about as dramatic as any symphony has ever been, and the ultra-percussive ending will leave you breathless. Penderecki's Symphony No. 1 dates from 1972-73 and is typical of his middle period - a blend of the avant-garde with post-romanticism. The beginning bars of the four-movement symphony are scored for percussion instruments only, with strings and brass soon signaling in orchestral chaos. The second movement is full of microtonal glissandi and strange sound effects, and despite this, is actually quite listenable. The third movement is full of unusual string textures and is highlighted by blaring brass and throbbing timpani. The final movement returns to the percussive sounds of the symphony's beginning and concludes almost inaudibly with low notes on the double bass.