PENDERECKI : Symphony No. 8 (first version 2005) • Dies irae • Aus den Psalmen Davids (Antoni Wit) (2008) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Listeners who have been following the career of Polish postmodernist composer Krzysztof Penderecki will have to hear this disc because it features the world-premiere recording of his Symphony No. 8 "Lieder der Vergänglichkeit" (Songs of Transience). Conductor Antoni Wit delivers a committed and satisfying performance that must be considered at least representative, if not definitive. Written in Penderecki's mature post-1970 style -- that is, with tonal harmonies, staid tempos, dark colors, and heavy textures -- the Symphony No. 8 is in 12 movements setting nineteenth and twentieth century German poetry on the subjects of life, death, and eternity. This style, of course, is a complete volte-face from the style of Penderecki's landmark works of the late '50s and '60s, works that featured cluster harmonies, amorphous tempos, searing colors, and clotted textures. Two works in this youthful style are included on this disc, the Dies irae from 1967 and Aus den Psalmen Davids from 1958, and the contrast of styles could not be greater. Indeed, many listeners may doubt if the same composer wrote all three works, and some listeners may not enjoy all three works. Still, anyone who likes either Penderecki's old or new style will have to hear this disc. Recorded in Warsaw in 2006, Naxos' digital sound is cool, but colorful and very present. by James Leonard  
More About this Recording

Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020)

1-12    Symphony No. 8, 'Lieder Der Vergänglichkeit' (2005)
Baritone Vocals – Wojtek Drabowicz
Mezzo-soprano Vocals – Agnieszka Rehlis
Soprano Vocals – Michaela Kaune

13-15    Dies Irae (1967) [25:22]
Baritone Vocals – Jarosław Bręk
Mezzo-soprano Vocals – Anna Lubańska
Tenor Vocals – Ryszard Minkiewicz

16-19    Aus Den Psalmen Davids (1958)    (10:55)

Chorus – Warsaw National Philharmonic Choir
Chorus Master [Choirmaster] – Henryk Wojnarowski
Conductor – Antoni Wit
Orchestra – Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra