Sunday, September 14, 2014

Henryk Górecki - Kleines Requiem für eine Polka - Harpsichord Concerto - Good Night

This Nonesuch disc from 1995 is a favorite of mine, especially for the rapid-fire and electrifying
Harpsichord Concerto, a relentlessly motoric and delightfully quirky work. "Kleines Requiem für eine Polka" (Little Requiem for a Polka...hmm) is an oddball piece, grave and intense yet with a bit of humor even to be had in the 3rd movement-with a touch of psychosis that is! Then there's "Good Night" for alto flute, piano, soprano (Dawn Upshaw no less) and 3 tam-tams. It's hard to know what
to make of this piece but somehow I love it's mystery. Much of it is very slow moving, with only the alto flute and piano; frankly those are the parts I like the most. Enjoy.




Górecki_Harpsichord_Concerto_Etc.zip

http://www19.zippyshare.com/v/80162779/file.html

7 comments:

Unknown said...

First time listen to SYMPHONY No 3, I "fall in love" with Gorecki immediately !!!
Thank you very much , my friend !

Jim said...

On the face of it the Good Night music looks to be a nightmarish piece what with 5 tam-tams smashing away and an implied shrieking soprano and flute. Gorecki has to be suppressing a smile in that cover photo.
Thanks for this blog.

Tzadik said...

nhac I recall years ago when I heard Sym No.3, it made me cry, it melted me and carried me away in it's flowing beauty. Also it always touches me as I lost family during the holocaust. You are very welcome for the disc! Regards

Tzadik said...

Hello Jim and you are quite welcome, thank for commenting. Yes, I agree it is a bit nightmarish, one that can be enjoyed as an auditory experience yet should this be an actual nightmare I'd be both intrigued to see the images whilst desperately wanting to awaken! The cover, ha, I have always thought that; it's the most subtle of grins...or almost... Regards

Unknown said...
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Art Rock said...

I have this one on CD and recommend it highly to see another side of Gorecki. Most people know his symphony 3, and this is quite different. I love the harpsichord concerto.

Tzadik said...

Yes Art Rock so do I. There's a great recording of it played on piano instead of harpsichord (I much prefer the harpsichord) on Conifer records, I must post it when I find it; ever since I moved a year ago my collection has become overwhelming to go through; I have so much in storage and then stacks and stacks here, even garbage bags bursting with discs I had to quickly toss together whilst moving. I will post much more Gorecki when possible. Cheers friend