Well, crap.

I liked him.

A more detailed report:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131267894

My preferred Gorecki recording:
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/3931

Kal

Haven't heard the composer's own version, but I am really drawn to the Royal Philharmonic recording conducted by Simonov(most recently on Membran as an SACD). The soprano bests Upshaw (for Zinman), and the sound is much clearer in the bass.

Thanks, but sad to hear it. He (and Arvo Part) wrote some of the most transcendent music of the 20th century I've ever heard.

His Symphony 3, "Sorrowful Songs" was sited by someone in Stereophile as the ultimate "all in one" test disk and I think I agree. Maybe the widest dynamic range of any disk I have, and it plumbs the deepest chords and hits the highest highs. And again- like music from angels.

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Tony Faulkner engineered that one.

Which one?

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Symphony of Sorrowful songs. Upshaw.

Ah. I knew the piece but it was not clear which recording of it you were referring to. Lovely recording and the one most of us imprinted on.

Give the Gorecki/Polskie Radio recording a listen. Excellent and different. Both LG and I think it is outstanding.

Kal

Quote:

His Symphony 3, "Sorrowful Songs" was sited by someone in Stereophile as the ultimate "all in one" test disk and I think I agree. Maybe the widest dynamic range of any disk I have, and it plumbs the deepest chords and hits the highest highs.

Indeed. Coincidentally, I am auditioning the Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v.5 this coming Friday in anticipation of a purchase. This is the primary recording I had planned on taking, especially to test the lows.

This is my favorite recording of this work:
Gorecki Sym. No. 3