Lutoslawski: Journey towards Freedom

Our latest Noteworthy video acknowledges the legacy of the great Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski (1913-94), whose 99th birthday we celebrate on January 25. The video is taken from the terrific 1996 documentary entitled “Journey Towards Freedom”, narrated by English conductor Sir Simon Rattle, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In this 15-minute video, Maestro Rattle provides biographical background and aesthetic insight into Lutoslawski’s musical mind, along with brief interviews with Lutoslawski himself, and most importantly excerpts of various key works by this maverick of the 20th century – his Concerto for Orchestra (1954), Venetian Games (1961), and the Symphony No.3 (1973), all in rehearsal. Lutoslawski was one of the most influential composers of the second half of the 20th century, who opened up vistas for so many who have followed. Enjoy, and tell us what you think!

Composer: Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)  

Edvard Grieg remains a perennial favorite among audiences and performers alike – admired for his beautiful melodies and rich orchestral color so inspired by his native Norway. As much as any composer he embodied the best qualities of musical “nationalism” in the 19th century. This concert features many of his most well-known orchestral and piano works.

Period: Classical (1730-1800) 

The Classical Period saw a rejection of the intellectual rigors of the late-Baroque in favor of a simpler, more “enlightened” style, that would usher in some of the world’s most popular music. This is the age that gives rise to Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

The voice is the most natural of instruments, the only one capable of conveying both music and text, and thus it has played an essential role in the history of Western art music. This concert features great examples from every era, including by Handel, Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Verdi, Berg, and others.