Górecki: Symphony N° 3

Posted by: dvdkeogh on 27 January 2003

Górecki: Symphony N° 3

Having recently read a review about the Symphony of Sorrowful songs (opus 36), I am very interested in buying a copy.

I had a brief look today in HMV and their appeared to be several versions available, the most expensive at about £16 conducted by David Zinman with Dawn Upshaw and the London Sinfonietta. Now I believe that many believe that this is the version to own, however, there were two other copies for only £6; One conducted by Jerzy Swoboda with Zofia Kilanowicz and the Polish State Philharmonic Orchestra and the other by Kazimierz Kord with Joanna Kozlowska and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally I’ve since found that there is also a highly regarded Naxos rendition (which I’d imagine to be affordable).

Now I’d like to know whether the big disparity in these prices is reflected in the quality of the performances. Can the Zinman really be worth the premium over the others? Ideally I’d like to spend as little as possible and £6 is a very appealing price, but I’d appreciate any feedback from others who’ve experimented. Which, in your opinion, should I buy???

Dave

[This message was edited by dvdkeogh on MONDAY 27 January 2003 at 23:57.]
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by Mike Hanson
I purchased one of the Polish ones first (I'm not sure which, but I think it was the Warsaw). It was quite lackluster. Then I purchased the Zinman w/Upshaw, which was much better.

In the end, though, this work gets quite boring after a couple of spins (regardless of who's doing it).

-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by Matthew T
I agree with Mike. Doesn't do weel on many listens.

I would recommend Gorecki's Miserere which I would rate above the third symphoney.

Matthew
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by throbnorth
I'd agree with the above; it's beautiful, but there's not a great deal for repeated listenings - it's like a killer extract of something that you hear with some ad ..... I'd say go for the Naxos - at less than the cost of a round of drinks you can't go wrong, and if it really does it for you then the Upshaw [which is exemplary in every respect] is always there.

throb
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by David Hobbs-Mallyon
..or go for one of the 2nd hand copies on Amazon.

David
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by herm
I saw a documentary about Gorecki some time ago, about conductor Reinbert de Leeuw conducting a premiere of a work of G's. At the final rehearsal G was present, and he went totally crazy, standing behind, and later, next to Reinbert de Leeuw, furiously pointing his finger at whoever was making music at the time - blow harder, harder! was sort of the direction. It was touching, but kind of terrible too.

G talked about his work, and that he didn't want to write 'festival' music (i.e. for colleagues and critics), and that he didn't listen to contemporary music that much (except Messiaen). For him Chopin and Beethoven were the best - it was like 'dark bread'.

I agree Chopin and Beethoven are pretty neato, but the 'dark bread' analogy didn't make me too happy. It somehow has a Blut und Boden ring, which I don't need.

Herman
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by dvdkeogh
Thank you for all your advice it is/has been much appreciated. I’ve heard excerpts of Symphony N° 3 on various compilations albums and it does sound soothing. Whether or not it proves of lasting interest we shall have to see. There was a copy of the Zinman/Upshaw on Ebay, and I’ve bought it for £5.30 in total… Otherwise I would probably have gone for the Naxos for only £4.99. So cheap!!! I can see I have to get more and more in to classical music (being half Scottish I object to paying over £10 on CD’s, oh, and I’m a recovering student so guess this must have something to do with it Roll Eyes)...

I’m not a member of the classical consignetti really only having a superficial cd collection of music that’s caught my ear. However, just recently I seem to have been going through a minimalist phase listening predominantly to some obscure Ryuichi Sakamoto CD’s. I haven’t quite got to grips with Minha Vida Como Um Filme, his compilation from the films Derrida and Alexi and the Spring – far to stark and really best served as an a compliment to motion picture, but am more enamoured with Life in Progress and Elephantism.

Anyhow, will let you know what I think of it when it has arrived and had a chance to sink in.

P.S. Matthew, was your mention of the third symphoney intentional? Wink

Cheers, Dave