Antoni Wit and the Polish National Radio Symphony (Katowice) have made some outstanding recordings for Naxos; their performances of music by compatriot Witold Lutoslawski in particular have received well-deserved critical acclaim. Lutoslawski (who died in 1994) wrote some of the most instantly accessible music of the late 20th century. The Concerto for Orchestra and Paganini Variations, for example, are now well established as modern classics, but surprisingly, many collectors have yet to investigate the composer. That’s where this Naxos compilation should meet a pressing need, for it brings together fragments of many of Lutoslwaski’s most successful works on a single “tester” disc, which should encourage traditionally cautious listeners to explore his music more fully.
The collection opens with music from the 1948 Symphonic Variations and also includes a complete performance of the 1949 Overture for Strings and a section of the Little Suite of 1951. Longer works, such as the Cello Concerto and Piano Concerto also are featured, as is the impressive Chain II (1985) with violinist Krzystof Bakowski as soloist. But the fragments presented here do no more than give a fleeting overview of Lutoslawski’s music, even though they come from complete recordings that are among the best available, irrespective of price. So if you’re new to this composer and happy to try a little non-obligational toe-dipping, this might well be the ideal introduction. [8/10/2001]
