Although this disc has little to recommend for the general listener, it does offer repertoire of interest for archive and library collections. In plainest terms, this is a bad-sounding recording of an intriguing, imaginative work. Recorded on June 16, 1997 in the 15th-century St. Mary Magdalene Cathedral of Wroclaw, Poland, this archive tape begins with unbalanced sound that then swirls and echoes in a confusing mix that required a second hearing before I could begin to comprehend the relatively uncomplex music. The performers also seem to lack polish–but some of this impression could be attributed to the faulty engineering. Nevertheless, the music is inventive and involving.
Born in 1932, Wojciech Kilar is a well-known composer in his native Poland. He created Triptych by assembling three of his choral/orchestral works into an hour-long sequence that strives to express a Polish sensibility in religious contexts. The earliest piece–Bogurodica (1975)–retains some of Kilar’s earlier avant-garde style, while the other two pieces–Angelus (1984) and Exodus (1981)–are essentially post-modern. In general, through repetition and accretion of orchestral and choral layers, Kilar creates an imposing sense of energy hovering on the edge of explosion. If it were heard in decent sound, Exodus in particular would be a stunner, a well-planned crescendo based on a Jewish song, rising to a climax of overwhelming power. (Kilar says it was inspired by the first visit of John Paul II to Poland as Pope.)
I know Kilar’s unique style and compelling thematic creativity from other recordings, and although the poor sonics here make judgement difficult, it’s apparent that these works are significant statements from an important modern composer. That’s why I hope this disc’s existence reaches the attention of others who might be in a position to produce a recording that does the music full justice.
