Day 355
Paderewski: Overture in E Flat
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Antoni Wit
Paderewski was probably the most famous pianist in the world in the early 20th century - there are lots of references to him in popular song and literature. He was also the Prime Minister of Poland in the post-war years and signed the treaty of Versailles on behalf of the Polish government. One of the outcomes of negotiations for settling the post-war order was the creation of the free city of Danzig so it seems appropriate that I listen to some of his music as I stay in Gdansk, the modern name for Danzig.
Paderewski mainly wrote piano music but there are some substantial piece, including a symphony which lasts 75 mins and the opera Manru. This overture from 1884 is an early work - it appears not to have been published in the composer’s lifetime. I found it an attractive piece which has obvious kinship with the works of Greig and Dvořák and perhaps Borodin as an example of what might be termed gentle nationalism. It had a melodic freshness which was very compelling.
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