Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit - Lutosławski: Symphonies, Concertos, Choral and Vocal Works (10CD) (2013)

This tremendously rewarding set contains 38 works on nine CDs, plus a bonus tenth disc featuring the composer’s last appearance conducting his own works (well recorded by the CBC in Toronto, just a few months before his death). Lutoskawski was one of the 20th century’s great musical voices, and although he’s best known for his more avant-garde pieces, plus the transitional Concerto for Orchestra, the truth is that his range was far wider than that. Having the opportunity to savor some four-plus decades of his output, from the marvelous 20 Polish Christmas Carols of 1946 right through to the end of his career in 1994 is a remarkable experience.

At the heart of this collection lies the work of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra under Antoni Wit, a largely unsung but truly great conductor who is completely in his element here. He plays all of this music with idiomatic flair, but also a passion and intensity that is very special. Sample, for instance, his ultra vibrant handling of the conclusion of the Third Symphony (sound clip). In the concertos and vocal works, Wit is joined by a stellar selection of talent both familiar and local, but no less accomplished: soprano Olga Pasichnyk, tenor Piotr Kusiewicz, baritone Adam Kruszewski, pianist Bernd Glemser, violinist Krzystof Bakowski, cellist Andrzej Bauer, and several others. Lutoslawski, throughout is life, enjoyed the advocacy of the best and most famous artists in their respective media, but none of Wit’s associates need fear comparison to them.

The set’s ten discs come packaged in a sturdy box with a booklet containing all of the original notes. The fact is that these performances are, on the whole, finer than the composer’s own, and the engineering is excellent too. The only things missing are translations of the texts (which can be found on the Naxos website). Still, this is a landmark set, and a major accomplishment by any standard.