The inspiration for both of Szymanowski's violin concertos was the Polish violinist Paweł Kochański, who advised the composer on the solo parts and wrote the cadenzas.
Composition History
Szymanowski's First Violin Concerto was likely inspired by 'May Night,' a poem by his friend Tadeusz Miciński, which features fantastical imagery.
Historical Context
The three Polish violin concertos on this album were written within a single generation, yet each belongs to a different historical context: national occupation, wartime, and national renewal.
Composition History
Szymanowski's Second Violin Concerto was his last major completed work, and its premiere was given by the seriously ill Paweł Kochański just three months before Kochański's death from cancer.
Composition History
Karłowicz's Violin Concerto in A major was composed for and dedicated to his former violin teacher, Stanisław Barcewicz, who was known for his strong singing tone and advanced bowing techniques.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Szymanowski's Second Violin Concerto replaced the lush, exotic sounds of his earlier war-era music with the lean, earthy style of Polish mountaineer (góral) folk music.
Composer Biography
Mieczysław Karłowicz, one of the composers on this album, was an experienced photographer and mountaineer who died at 32 in an avalanche in the Tatra Mountains.
