Piano Works Vol 1

Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)
Piano Works. Piano Works Vol 1
Nine Preludes Op. 1 (1896-1900)
Metopes - Three Poems for Piano Op. 29 (1915)
Sonata No. 3 for piano Op. 36 (1917)
Anu Vehviläinen piano
Piano works by Szymanowski
On the new album Karol Szymanowski - Piano Works Vol 1 you can hear Anu Vehviläinen's wonderful interpretations of Szymanowski's works Nine Preludes Op. 1 (1896-1900), Metopi - Three Poems for Piano Op. 29 (1915) and Sonata No. 3 for piano Op. 36 (1917).
Anu Vehviläinen writes about the composer and the works:
"...Szymanowski's solo piano output, which includes about twenty opuses, is a treasure trove that reaches out in many directions. The piano texture is characterized by grandeur, orchestralness and multi-layeredness - attributes that are typical especially of many late romantic composers... Szymanowski's music never woos or bows to external showiness, but is a full and eloquent expression.
...The series Nine Preludes completed in 1900 is Szymanowski's first published work. Despite the clear Chopin influences of the preludes, the series is a remarkably mature and intact whole for a composer starting his career - Chopin is present, but not in a disturbing or too obvious way, but as an inspiration and example for the discoverer of new tones.
...Metopes - Three poems for piano represent Szymanowski's "Mediterranean" period and at the same time the composer's most personal expression. The three parts of the work series refer to antiquity: the Sirens, Calypso and Nausicaa were all female characters encountered by Odysseus. Szymanowski's colorful texture is full of narrative twists and turns. Harp-like arpeggios, trills and tremolos decorate seductive melodies. The layered sound world is unique.
...Sonata No. 3 represents a typical, "great" Szymanowski, as the piano strives for a broad and orchestral sound. Of the composer's piano sonatas, it is the last, or the third, that rises above the others... Sonata No. 3 is, in my opinion, one of Szymanowski's most masterful piano works, both for its structural conviction and its expressive expression."
Anu Vehviläinen is a pianist from Helsinki and a doctor of music. His artistic activity is characterized by versatility: in addition to solo and chamber music performances, he explores the interaction between the artist and the audience in his special conversational solo piano concerts, where both the performer and the audience get to share their thoughts on music. Writing is also one of Vehviläinen's interests - he is working on a book about artistry in the 21st century.
Szymanowski's Piano Works Vol 2 will feature Maskit Op. 34, Fantasy Op. 14 and a collection of masurkas from opus 50 and 62.