Henryk Górecki: Symphony No. 3

Known worldwide for his Symphony No. 3, 'Symphony of Sorrowful Songs', Polish composer Henryk Górecki enjoys an exceptionally high profile as a composer of contemporary music. Now the Molinari Quartet has chosen to explore Górecki's chamber works with this new recording of his complete string quartets. Each quartet bears a descriptive title. The first, 'Juz sie zmierzcha [Already dusk is falling]', is named after the opening line of a motet by a Polish Renaissance composer. The second, 'Quasi una fantasia', invokes Beethoven, acknowledged by Górecki himself as his muse for his first two string quartets. The title of the third quartet,… songs are sung, comes from a line by the Russian poet Velimir Khlebnikov.

Limited edition 100 CD box set on the premiere classical label Deutsch Grammophon. Subtitled from Gregorian Chant to Gorecki. For some it will be the ultimate reference tool. For others a big place to start on something they always wanted to know about. Either way, the idea is to present a comprehensive history of Classical Music from its origins to the present day, covering all periods, including all major composers.

The Sonata for Two Violins is one of Henryk Gorecki’s earliest acknowledged works- its contrasts, instrumental rivalries and sophisticated technique a worthy rounding-off of his formative period. The Third String Quartet with its evocative subtitle ‘… songs are sung’ represents a culmination of Gorecki’s preoccupations with elaborate and emotive melodic shapes and closely intertwined harmonies, its final minutes recalling the beauty and poignancy of the composer’s Third Symphony. The First and Second String Quartets can be heard on Naxos as well: “a recording deserving of the very highest recommendation.” (Gramophone).

The Quartet No. 3 “Songs are Sung,” Op. 67 by Henryk Mikołaj Górecki belongs to the late works of the composer, and for a long time it was considered to be his last opused work. It was created in the ‘90s on commission of the Kronos ensemble. The reference to a song in the title is not accidental – the cantabile category, in combination with sometimes dramatic, sometimes doleful and melancholic narration addi-tionally contributes to the Quartet becoming a sui generis chamber echo of the Symphony of Sorrowful Songs No. 3. The perception of the piece is dominated with Górecki’s style, recognisable by almost every music lover, deeply emotional, introvert, frugal and at the same time extremely moving. The Dafô Quartet, the first female string quartet in Poland, have been fascinated with contemporary music performance from the beginning of their activity; they belong to the most outstanding performers of Polish chamber music.

The Sonata for Two Violins is one of Henryk Gorecki’s earliest acknowledged works- its contrasts, instrumental rivalries and sophisticated technique a worthy rounding-off of his formative period. The Third String Quartet with its evocative subtitle ‘… songs are sung’ represents a culmination of Gorecki’s preoccupations with elaborate and emotive melodic shapes and closely intertwined harmonies, its final minutes recalling the beauty and poignancy of the composer’s Third Symphony. The First and Second String Quartets can be heard on Naxos as well: “a recording deserving of the very highest recommendation.”