Credits:

Dmitry Vasilyev

Description:

Mislav Weinberg (19191996) is a composer whose works have recently been released one after another on the NAXOS label, and whose international reputation is rapidly growing. As you may know, he was born in Warsaw in 1919 and fled to Moscow to escape the Nazis who invaded Poland in 1939; he is known for having become a close friend of Shostakovich while in Moscow. Throughout his life, Weinberg composed 26 symphonies, 7 operas, 17 string quartets, among other works. His style was strongly influenced by Shostakovich; the use of counterpoint, the keen sense of melody, and the poignant melodies and dramatic developments found in Weinbergs works can certainly be described as Shostakovich-esque. This recording features his early symphonic poem Sounds of Poland and his second-to-last symphony, Kaddish, dedicated to the Polish victims of the Warsaw Ghetto. Vocal parts are also featured in this sympho