Paraphrased excerpt from Karlowicz's account of his 1903 trip to Ika, a spa on the Adriatic coast of Croatia: "We sat on a rock jutted out into the sea, which was boiling. It clung to the rocks, and anger was accompanied by a roar that made a thunderous noise. The rocks were dripping from the receding waves, and when the sun came out for a moment, the whole battlefield was cleared up with white spots like snow, and the green water flashed like glass." While this trip is the source of inspiration for his first symphonic poem, he infused his music with existential drama: man tormented by fate throughout his life is visited by occasional memories of better days, of the spring of life, but bitterness and sadness soon return to claw into his tired soul.
This Symphonic poem is somewhat dark but lush. It has an attractive, late Romantic (maybe even impressionist / pastoral at times) musical language and features great orchestral color (wind instruments shine brilliantly)!! Love his Symphony too !! Thanks to Jose Ignacio for posting magical musical gems like this!
Not only do the woodwinds sound good. The strings are also incredibly beautiful here. This piece creates such depth and magic that I dare say that Karłowicz is equal to Strauss.
Comme la première lumière du crépuscule, cette musique ouvre les yeux à de vieilles promesses et à toutes les anomalies bienfaisantes de la nature. Evocatrices de pouvoirs au-delà de l'observation, cette pièce tire les ficelles du cœur, attire les nostalgies et réveille les tourbillons, les vies écorchés et la torpeur des veilleurs tourmentés 🌺
I also spot a clear bit of Mahler's influence in the build-up from 17:10, just before the entry of brass reminiscent of Wagner (on second listening, the overall picture is still more Mahler than Wagner at this point; but maybe you referred to another part of the score). What strikes me is how Karlowicz combined his various inspirations into a cohesive whole like it was nothing. And I like that he does not dwell on them, just kind of pays tribute and moves on.
Karlowicz died prematurely in an avalanche in Tatras mountains. It was a great loss for the Polish music and for the music in general since he was a very gifted composer in the postromantic style. This tone poem "returning waves" proves it among other more ambitious scores, like his symphony and his concerto for violin. I never succeeded in finding an analysis of the philosophical concepts of Karlowitz through the titles and developement of his tone poems and his symphony, so I am not sure of what interpretation to give to these "returning waves". Is it something like the 'eternal return' of Nietzsche? I do not know.
@@andrewpetersen5272 He was a notable member of "Young Poland" movement that was clearly a new art jointing (post)romanticism with (early) modernism. However, much of his music is a sort of "dark romantic stuff" for the contemporary ear :)
Karłowicz himself about this tone poem - sorry if my translation is not accurate: "You are asking about the program of my tone poem. I only can reveal it in general terms, because I would desire the details to remain my secret forever. The title will be 'Returning waves', and the background is as follows: Among some bitter thoughts of a man who is constantly windblown mercilessly by his fate, and who is already reaching the end of his lifetime, a memory of the spring of his life [a Polish phrase that means 'youth'] appears suddenly, floodlit by a sunny smile of gladfulness. Some images move about, one after the other. But everything perishes, and the life's pain and sadness take the tired soul into their clutches again."
@@miedzwiedz I think that you are perfectly right. Indeed, there are two sorts of symphonic poems. 1 - Those which illustrate directly a text or anything other ‘sticking’ to that thing (Coriolan, Beethoven - Sheherazade, Rimski - In the steppes of Central Asia , Borodin - Mazeppa, Liszt - L’apprenti sorcier, Dukas - La danse macabre, Saint Saens - Die Moldau, Smetana - Till Eulespiegel, Strauss - Verklarte Nacht, Schoenberg, etc…) 2 - Those which evoke only quite abstract feelings but something, or a myth, or a philosophical idea (la Mer, Debussy - Prometheus, Poem of Extasy, Scriabin - Tapiola, Sibelius - Masonic funeral Ode, Mozart. This musical poem by Karlowicz clearly falls in the second category Cheers.
A great composer who left this world much too soon; the quality of his compositions in a large orchestra far exceeds those of Wagner, Strauss and Mahler combined, IMO!
A soul-stirring work from a composer who deserves to be performed much more.
Paraphrased excerpt from Karlowicz's account of his 1903 trip to Ika, a spa on the Adriatic coast of Croatia: "We sat on a rock jutted out into the sea, which was boiling. It clung to the rocks, and anger was accompanied by a roar that made a thunderous noise. The rocks were dripping from the receding waves, and when the sun came out for a moment, the whole battlefield was cleared up with white spots like snow, and the green water flashed like glass." While this trip is the source of inspiration for his first symphonic poem, he infused his music with existential drama: man tormented by fate throughout his life is visited by occasional memories of better days, of the spring of life, but bitterness and sadness soon return to claw into his tired soul.
This Symphonic poem is somewhat dark but lush. It has an attractive, late Romantic (maybe even impressionist / pastoral at times) musical language and features great orchestral color (wind instruments shine brilliantly)!! Love his Symphony too !! Thanks to Jose Ignacio for posting magical musical gems like this!
Not only do the woodwinds sound good. The strings are also incredibly beautiful here. This piece creates such depth and magic that I dare say that Karłowicz is equal to Strauss.
@@ipacyz8369 Agree ! Love karlowicz's music ...
Comme la première lumière du crépuscule, cette musique ouvre les yeux à de vieilles promesses et à toutes les anomalies bienfaisantes de la nature. Evocatrices de pouvoirs au-delà de l'observation, cette pièce tire les ficelles du cœur, attire les nostalgies et réveille les tourbillons, les vies écorchés et la torpeur des veilleurs tourmentés 🌺
Thank you José. A brilliant and beautiful composition by my fellow countryman. Muchas gracias!
my best symphonic poem ever
I found this to be a pleasant listening experience.
AVEC PLUS BELLE MUSIQUE , MERVEILLEUSEMENT PRODIGUX MERCI !
I'm just discovering this composer. I find this work fascinating. At one point there is a definite hint of Wagner's Ring. A really good listen. Thks.
I also spot a clear bit of Mahler's influence in the build-up from 17:10, just before the entry of brass reminiscent of Wagner (on second listening, the overall picture is still more Mahler than Wagner at this point; but maybe you referred to another part of the score). What strikes me is how Karlowicz combined his various inspirations into a cohesive whole like it was nothing. And I like that he does not dwell on them, just kind of pays tribute and moves on.
Karlowicz died prematurely in an avalanche in Tatras mountains. It was a great loss for the Polish music and for the music in general since he was a very gifted composer in the postromantic style. This tone poem "returning waves" proves it among other more ambitious scores, like his symphony and his concerto for violin. I never succeeded in finding an analysis of the philosophical concepts of Karlowitz through the titles and developement of his tone poems and his symphony, so I am not sure of what interpretation to give to these "returning waves". Is it something like the 'eternal return' of Nietzsche? I do not know.
Would say he was clearly romantic.
@@andrewpetersen5272 He was a notable member of "Young Poland" movement that was clearly a new art jointing (post)romanticism with (early) modernism. However, much of his music is a sort of "dark romantic stuff" for the contemporary ear :)
@@kibic12 Well this ear certainly approves. 🙂
Karłowicz himself about this tone poem - sorry if my translation is not accurate:
"You are asking about the program of my tone poem. I only can reveal it in general terms, because I would desire the details to remain my secret forever. The title will be 'Returning waves', and the background is as follows: Among some bitter thoughts of a man who is constantly windblown mercilessly by his fate, and who is already reaching the end of his lifetime, a memory of the spring of his life [a Polish phrase that means 'youth'] appears suddenly, floodlit by a sunny smile of gladfulness. Some images move about, one after the other. But everything perishes, and the life's pain and sadness take the tired soul into their clutches again."
@@miedzwiedz
I think that you are perfectly right. Indeed, there are two sorts of symphonic poems.
1 - Those which illustrate directly a text or anything other ‘sticking’ to that thing (Coriolan, Beethoven - Sheherazade, Rimski - In the steppes of Central Asia , Borodin - Mazeppa, Liszt - L’apprenti sorcier, Dukas - La danse macabre, Saint Saens - Die Moldau, Smetana - Till Eulespiegel, Strauss - Verklarte Nacht, Schoenberg, etc…)
2 - Those which evoke only quite abstract feelings but something, or a myth, or a philosophical idea (la Mer, Debussy - Prometheus, Poem of Extasy, Scriabin - Tapiola, Sibelius - Masonic funeral Ode, Mozart.
This musical poem by Karlowicz clearly falls in the second category
Cheers.
Karlowicz is a real find - have just ordered this CD.
He is our national (Polish) legend - like many others, unknown to the rest of the world...
A great composer who left this world much too soon; the quality of his compositions in a large orchestra far exceeds those of Wagner, Strauss and Mahler combined, IMO!
Rolling Down the Stairs Orchestral Colours 5:29 5:45 5:58
Glimmering Lights Orchestral Colours 4:47
If MK had spent more time composing and less time skiing he would have become a formidable talent.
Facing of Wind Orchestral Colours 5:27
Très beau ressac ! Musicien trop peu connu.
Es bonita le falta un pelin para ser preciosa.