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The piano works by one of the greatest
Polish composers Karol Szymanowski (1882 - 1937) presents the exclusive
phenomenon in the piano music of the XXth century. The specific features of
Szymanowski's music are "synthetic" manner to combine different styles, the
interaction of the Polish piano school traditions and foreign influences. This
position has formed thanks to impressions of composer's youth that was spent in
Russia in family estate Timoshovka near Kiev. During winter time, Karol studied
at the college and also at the music school organized by Gustav Neugaus with his
cousin Henry Neugaus in Elizavetgrad (Kirovograd in Soviet years). Szymanowski
family was related with famous piano dynasties such as Blumenfelds, Taubes and
Neugauses, so intensive interest of the young composer to piano music was
understandable. In 1901 - 1905, Szymanowski took private lessons with professors
Zawirski and Noskowski in Warsaw; after successful premiere of his Second
symphony and Second piano sonata in Vienna composer signed the contract with
Universal Edition which helped him to get international promotion.
The main influences on composer's works of
1913 - 1919 were the aesthetics of Secession and Symbolism and also impressions
from many travels to Italy and the Near East. After his return to Timoshovka
from the North Africa, Szymanowski was forced to stay in Russia; in winter time,
the family rented a house in the centre of Kiev. In spite of the war, composer's
work was very successful; his compositions were performed first in Russia and
were recognized by famous Russian musicians Asafiev, Mjaskovsky, Prokofiev,
Ziloti, Koussevitzky, Rachmaninov, Gliere. All Szymanowski's projects came to a
stop after the revolution, nevertheless after the Soviets were established in
Elizavetgrad, Szymanowski together with Henry Neugaus took part in several
concert events. In June 1918, Szymanowski received the proposal from Universal
Edition to move to Vienna; however, he refused as in this case his family would
have to stay in Russia. In Autumn 1919, thanks to new political situation
Szymanowski returned to Poland, he visited Russia with recitals only in 1933 -
1934.
The piano compositions of these Russian
years are presented on this CD; all of them were composed in Timoszovka and
first performed in Russia. The idea of the cycle of poems Metopes (1915)
appeared under composer's impression from ancient bas-relief - metopes in
Sicily. The program of the work is connected with the heroines of Odyssey by
Homer - fantastic sirens, nymph Calipso, and a daughter of King of the
Phaeacians Nausicaa. The poems were dedicated to girls - friends and sisters of
Karol Szymanowski Lola Rostiszewska, Anna Szymanowska, Marianna Davydova.
The cycle Masks (1916) occupies
significant place in Szymanowski's works. Pieces were dedicated to performers of
composer's works - to young pianist Alexander Dubjanski, who introduced Masks in
Petrograd (Petesburg) on the 12th of October, 1916; Harry (as Szymanowski called
his cousin) Neugaus and Arthur Rubinstein. In Masks, Szymanowski turned to the
music of the Near East and to the heroes of the Chivalry, such as Tristan (Tantris)
and Don Juan who became symbols in Romantic art. Extreme emotions and bright
sound contrasts allow to classify this cycle as an expressionistic work.
Twelve Etudies (1916) were dedicated
to a French pianist Alfred Cortot and have original composition of contrasting
miniatures, which follow attacca. In Polish piano music this composition is the
first experience on the field of contemporary pianism.
The Third Sonata (1917) was
dedicated to a Russian pianist and conductor Alexander Ziloti, who worked for
the premieres of Szymanowski's compositions. In summer of 1918, Henry Neugaus
introduced the sonata in Kiev. Thanks to Henry the copy of manuscript was saved
and transmitted to Universal Edition.
Olga Sobakina
Olga Sobakina graduated from the
Gnesins Institute in Moscow as a pupil of Lina Bulatova; in 1995, she followed
the post-graduate course at the Moscow Conservatory as a pupil of Victor
Merzhanov. Olga Sobakina takes part in many musical events. She has performed
with orchestras since 1980, gave solo recitals in Moscow and many other Russian
cities as well as for Russian Radio, and appeared in Poland in many
International Festivals and on other occasions at which her programs were
recorded by the Polish Radio and TV. She received awards at the Claude Kahn
European Piano Competition and at the Festival "France Piano International"
(Paris, 1995-1996), performed in France, USA and Finland. In 2004, she received
the degree Doctor of Fine Arts for research "Stylistics of Szymanowski's piano
works". Olga Sobakina published many articles on Szymanowski's piano works, and
her extensive repertory (about 30 concertos and 20 recital programs) includes
two recital programs and the 4th Symphony Concertante by this composer. In Olga
Sobakina' performances, Polish critics marked "exclusive skill, great musical
talent, sophisticated interpretation and also boldness to perform music by
Szymanowski, which is either unknown for Polish or incomprehensible for them".
©
Classical Records
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