A revolution in art and literature swept through Europe and by the early 1800s Romanticism dominated the musical landscape. Such figures as Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Brahms exemplified the ideals yet maintained highly individual approaches. Now, our finest historically-informed musicians and scholars present this incomparable repertoire in a series destined by become an essential part of every serious music lover’s collection. Karol Szymanowski was a giant in the history of Polish music and among the greatest composers of his turbulent era. His music spans a kaleidoscopic range of styles from late-Romantic chromaticism, to shimmering Impressionism, to a proud and energetic nationalist idiom. All his music is marked by an attractive lyricism and an exceptional sensitivity to tone color. Pianist Matthew Bengtson and violinist Blanka Bednarz, life-long tireless advocates of his music, present a varied program of his greatest masterpieces for solo piano and violin/piano duo.
