Lutosławski's earliest surviving piece, the Piano Sonata from 1934, was later deemed "over-Romantic" by the composer due to its influences from Szymanowski and Ravel.
Historical Context
Lutosławski composed his Two Studies during the German occupation of Poland (1940-41), earning a living as a cafe pianist alongside fellow composer Andrzej Panufnik.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Lutosławski's early musical taste was significantly shaped by the Warsaw Philharmonic and a performance of Karol Szymanowski's Third Symphony, which he described as a "true revelation."
Performer Biography
Giorgio Koukl, the pianist on this album, is considered a leading interpreter of Bohuslav Martinů's piano music and has recorded the complete solo piano works of several composers.
Composition History
The Bucolics, a set of miniatures, draw their material from a collection of folk melodies compiled by Polish priest Władysław Skierkowski, who later died in a Nazi concentration camp.
Composer Biography
Witold Lutosławski, the composer, began improvising on the piano at age six and wrote his first preludes for piano at age nine.
Recording & Production
This album features the world premiere recording of the Piano Sonata's autograph score, which corrects 73 errors, including a 16-bar omission, found in previous published editions.
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