Karol Szymanowski Essentials

Szymanowski’s music is one of the absolute highlights of early modernism. His early works were still influenced by the music of Richard Strauss, but he went on to meld the late-Romantic idiom with French impressionism, leading to an authentic synthesis of two very different worlds. In his later years, he strove for a Polish style that would unite the nation’s folk songs with contemporary music. A fine pianist, he explored most mediums, including concertos, songs, chamber music, and a glittering operatic masterpiece, King Roger.