Polish tales lovingly told by the Silesian String Quartet

The Silesian String Quartet

By Christopher Woodley, 05 May 2023

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 4 May 2023

Moniuszko, String Quartet no. 1 in D minor

Weinberg, String Quartet no. 17, Op.146

Górecki, String Quartet no. 3, "Songs are Sung”

Silesian String Quartet

Szymon Krzeszowiec, Violin

Arkadiusz Kubica, Violin

Łukasz Syrnicki, Viola

Piotr Janosik, Cello

Silesian Quartet makes a strong case for Weinberg and Bacewicz

Nahoko Gotoh, 2nd September

Polish-born composers Grażyna Bacewicz and Mieczysław Weinberg have not been part of the so-called “musical canon”, but in recent decades we have been fortunate to witness a revival in their music.

****1

When time stands still: the Philharmonia revisits Strauss

Jessica Duchen, 4th June

The Philharmonia, Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Benjamin Grosvenor shine in the recreation of an all-Strauss extravaganza that was conducted in 1947 by the composer himself.

****1

Staatskapelle Dresden’s sonic alchemy at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 2nd June

From the earthy joy of Meistersinger to the sublime textures of Debussy, Daniele Gatti channels the Dresdeners' legendary, layered warmth into an unforgettable evening of pure acoustic luxury.

****1

Ambition meets the Philharmonie: Peltokoski and Kantorow in Paris

Laurence Vittes, 2nd June

Two prodigies, with a surplus of imagination and more interest in the moment than in creating long arcs of music, join the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse in Paris.

****1

Jurowski marks Hans Werner Henze’s centenary at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 31st May

Vladimir Jurowski and the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin deliver a lean, razor-sharp exploration of captivity and survival, balancing Beethoven’s and Brahms’ structural clarity against the devastating, high-fidelity distortion of Henze’s Ninth Symphony.

****1

Kissin, Bell and Isserlis: remembrance and loss at Carnegie Hall

Edward Sava-Segal, 31st May

Solomon Rosowsky, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky form a matinee programme whose deeper connections gradually came into focus.

****1

More reviews...

Christopher Woodley

Christopher’s professional background is in the public sector, and includes a spell in music librarianship. A composer, he is a keen follower of contemporary music and has attended all but four editions of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, including the first concert in 1978. Other musical passions include a fascination with the “bad boys” of the New Complexity fixation, particularly the god-like Brian Ferneyhough – arguably the best thing to have come out of Coventry. When not listening to Boulez, Christopher relaxes by frequenting the fields, orchards, woodlands and pubs on the Weald of Kent, where he lives.

Polish tales lovingly told: the Silesian String Quartet at Wigmore Hall