Symphony No. 2 (Szymanowski)

Karol Szymanowski completed his Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19 in 1909 at the age of 27. Szymanowski was greatly influenced by German culture and the symphony has many echoes of Richard Strauss and Max Reger. This symphony introduced Szymanowski to Europe in 1911-12 and it was heard in Berlin, Leipzig and Vienna. The symphony was published soon after the composer's death after much revision. This symphony and its use of a solo violin laid the foundation, so to speak, of Szymanowski's first Violin Concerto. A typical performance of the symphony lasts about 30 minutes.[1][2][3]

Form

The symphony is supposed to show off the composer's prowess as a contrapuntalist. The work unconventional for its time, is in two movements and begins in a typical Szymanowski manner (also with a similarity to Scriabin) with a violin solo:[1]

1. Allegro moderato — Grazioso

The first movement in B flat major has a passionate character to it.[2]

2. Tema — Variazioni — Fuga

The second movement in which Reger is explicitly invoked, is almost a self-contained movement with its own introduction. It consists of a theme and five variations. It is playful, festive and dance-like. The Scherzo itself is a three-part structure based not only on the variation theme but also on the 1st movement's solo violin theme. The movement ends with a sixth variation followed by a fugue. Its model is probably the fugal finale of Strauss' Sinfonia domestica. Each subject in the fugue proves to be derived from earlier themes.[1][2]

Instrumentation

Szymanowski scored his symphony for a large orchestra consisting of standard instruments:[2]

Woodwind 3 Flutes 3 Oboes or (2 Oboes and 1 Cor anglais) 2 Clarinets in B 1 B♭ and 1 E♭ Clarinet or (1 Bass Clarinet) 3 Bassoons Brass 4 Horns in F 3 Trumpets in B 3 Trombones Tuba

Percussion Perc(3) Harp Strings 1st and 2nd Violins Violas Cellos Contra basses

Evaluation

Conductor Antoni Wit deems the symphony a very challenging work, explaining that when he is asked to conduct it he replies that the orchestra won't have it easy and the performance will require more work than usual and each musician to prepare its part before the rehearsals, but that nevertheless it will be worth it.[4]

References

1. Palmer, Christopher (CD booklet insert: Szymanowki-Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3; Bartok-Two Pictures, Detroit Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antal Dorati, Decca, Catalogue# 425625-2)
2. "Universal Edition AG". Retrieved 11 June 2012.
3. International Music Score Library Project (imslp.org)
4. Antoni Wit: "Creo que cada vez lo hago un poco mejor". Scherzo, July-August 2015