<<<  <<  -- 2 --  Patric Standford    TAPESTRY OF COLOURS

The filigree tapestry of colours and swiftly contrasting moods of lively vigour and reflective romance are managed well in this recording by a rewarding partnership between Russian soloist Ilya Kaler and Polish conductor Antoni Wit. This, a lively and technically challenging glimpse into the first concerto [listen -- track 3, 0:15-0:45] contrasts well with a magical moment, comparable to similar arresting points in Brahms and Mendelssohn, where wandering attention might suddenly be brought to heel with something that makes the spine tingle [listen -- track 4, 4:26-5:53].

The second concerto, an equal in rhapsodic passion and mischievous wit, is given an equally sympathetic performance, even if in its turbulent ending the soloist becomes momentarily lost in orchestral conflicts before a direct extrovert close [listen -- track 9, 4:08-5:18].

Shortly before the first concerto, Szymanowski wrote a Spanish flavoured Tarantella for his friend, giving it a Nocturne as a companion later. Fitelberg, who outlived them both, orchestrated the two pieces in 1950, and Antoni Wit includes them on this disc.

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