The Thirteenth Symphony is dedicated to the memory of Weinberg's mother, who perished with his father and sister in a Polish transit camp in the early 1940s.
Performer Biography
Vladimir Lande, the conductor, is recording a seventeen-volume cycle of orchestral works by the neglected Russian composer Mieczysław Weinberg for Naxos.
Compositional Technique
Unlike its predecessor, Weinberg's Thirteenth Symphony is cast in a single movement and uses a large orchestra sparingly, creating austere or chamber-like textures.
Recording & Production
This album features world premiere recordings of both Weinberg's Symphony No. 13 and Serenade for Orchestra.
Historical Context
Weinberg faced personal setbacks, including the murder of his father-in-law, Solomon Mikhoels (a renowned actor), and his own imprisonment for 'Jewish subversion' until Stalin's death in 1953.
Composer Biography
Mieczysław Weinberg, the composer, was born in Warsaw in 1919 and was known as a highly regarded pianist before fleeing the Nazi invasion.
Composition History
Weinberg's First Symphony impressed Shostakovich, leading Weinberg to settle in Moscow in 1943, where he remained for the rest of his life.
