Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 15 (1907) I. Allegro moderato [0:00] II. Finale [11:01] The first symphony by Polish composer and pianist Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937). Szymanowski described this early work as a "Monstrum kontrapunktyczno-harmoniczno-orkiestrowe". In this stage of his career, Szymanowski was still under the influence of Wagner, Strauss and Scriabin, but it is clear that he was seeking to transcend the late Romantic idiom by using even more extensive chromaticism and heavy textures to build up to grandiose, ecstatic climaxes. The composer eventually moved in a very different direction musically, breaking from the tradition that dominated European music at the turn of the century. Conductor: Karol Stryja Polish State Philharmonic Orchestra, Katowice