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From No 1 to No-one

Donald Macleod introduces music from the period surrounding Panufnik's defection to Britain as he adjusted from the strictures of socialist realism to the freedom of the west.

In communist Poland decadent Western art was denounced. Music had to be of political significance, created according to the principles of Socialist Realism. Panufnik was forced to become part of the propaganda machine, taking posts he didn't want and promoting a creed he despised. He was finally pushed a step too far and decided to defect to England. After a difficult start, work started to pick up with offers of conducting work and commissions slowly coming his way. Donald Macleod introduces music from this tumultuous period including a piece to mark the 100th anniversary of Chopin's death, an overture with a defiant but hidden anti-Soviet meaning, a symphony dedicated to the victims of the Second World War and part of a concerto prompted by the generous donation from a patron of the arts who wanted to help him start composing again.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Andrzej Panufnik

    Hommage a Chopin - 5 vocalises vers. 2 for flute and strings

    Conductor: 艁ukasz Borowicz. Performer: Lukasz Dlugosz. Orchestra: Polish R S O..
    • CPO : 777-498-2.
    • CPO.
    • 13.
  • Andrzej Panufnik

    Heroic overture

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Jascha Horenstein.
    • UK RECORDS : CD-2016.
    • UK RECORDS.
    • 3.
  • Andrzej Panufnik

    Sinfonia elegiaca (Symphony no.2) [rev.1966]

    Conductor: 艁ukasz Borowicz. Orchestra: Konzerthausorchester Berlin.
    • CPO: 777 6832.
    • 1-3.
  • Andrzej Panufnik

    Concerto for piano and orchestra - final movement

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: Ewa Pob艂ocka.
    • Conifer:CDCF206.
    • 4.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 Sep 2014 12:00
  • Tue 23 Sep 2014 18:30

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