(1913-94). 1: Early Works to 1949
Witold Lutoslawski's family escaped the German occupation of Poland in 1915 by moving to Moscow, only to face the October Revolution. Lutoslawski was mobilised in Poland in 1939 and though he was arrested by the Germans he managed to escape and walked the 400 km back to Warsaw. Having survived the war by ekeing out a living playing piano on the cafe circuit, his First Symphony was the first major Polish work to be banned, in 1947, by the communist cultural commissars. Donald Macleod introduces the works that survive from this turbulent early period of the composer's life.
Lacrimosa Stefania Woytowicz (soprano), Silesian Philharmonic Choir, Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra in Katowice conducted by the Composer Symphonic Variations
Polish Radio National Symphony
Orchestra conducted by the Composer
Two Studies: No 2 Ann Martin-Davis (piano) Variations on a Theme by Paganini Ann Martin-Davis and Susan Legg (pianos) Symphony No 1
Polish Radio National Symphony
Orchestra conducted by the Composer
Producer Megan Jones