Search - Henryk Gorecki, Jacek Kaspszyk, Cracow K. Szymanowski State Philharmonic Orchestra :: Henryk Mikolaj Górecki: Sinfonie No.3, Op.36 "Sinfonie Der Klagelieder"

Quintessential

Mark Swinton | 12/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are those who criticise Gorecki as yet another spiritual minimalist, yet it is for that very reason that his music is so popular. Where else but in religious music with the simplest of construction could one find such astounding purity and ethereal writing for voices and instruments? Whilst I have not heard the more popular rendition directed by David Zinman, I first discovered the piece through a sample from this recording. It has hence stayed with me. For anyone, I would recommend the second movement of this symphony as worth the price of the whole disc: this is a sound that so many can associate with, and it does not matter that the words are in Polish. You can tell who wrote them. You will feel for the holocaust victims like never before. And you will admire this composer for writing a masterpiece."

Moving Music

Andrea Hagerty | Phoenix, Arizona United States | 01/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was given this CD as a present and I love every note of it. The first track is incredible. The music starts pp and then ascends to ff and then back down again. The use of string instruments is amazing. I read the enclosed pamphlet as I was listening to the music. As I read the sad words of the young woman imprisoned, the music swept me away to tears. The symphony is full of incredible sadness, but at certain times sparks of hope seem to come in. I definitely recommend this CD."