The Symphonies

To celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2013 of the birth of influential Polish composer, Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994), Sony Classical is teaming up with the phenomenal forces of the LA Philharmonic and its Finnish Conductor Laureate, Esa-Pekka Salonen to present the Lutoslawski Symphonies Edition.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic was an orchestra with which Lutoslawski had a particularly close relationship.

Authoritative liner notes are by Lutoslawski scholar, Steven Stucky.

The Edition includes a brand-new recording of the First Symphony, recorded live in Dec 2012 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LAX together with their earlier recordings of Symphonies Two, Three and Four plus a new recording of his 'Fanfare for Los Angeles Philharmonic', written in 1993, a year before he passed away.

In concert, Salonen will honour the Lutosławski anniversary with concerts around the globe, including a season-long project with the Philharmonia Orchestra called Woven Words: "Music Begins Where Words End" (30th Jan, 7th March; 21st March - UK dates) as well as performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Of Lutoslawski's Symphonies, Salonen noted: "[They] possess the beauty of a giant organism, like a tree, or maybe a forest. We are moved by the logic of the form and the inevitability of growth. We perceive the music in shapes and lines, overall characteristics of the musical texture, and contrasts between movement and static situations". He described the art of composing as "fishing for souls".