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 1911–1912, following its Warsaw premiere on 7 April 1911 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]

  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. ^ Cite error: The named reference Universal Edition was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ International Music Score Library Project (imslp.org)