It is a trite assumption that by association with Krzysztof Penderecki's Polish identity, a performance of his work by a Polish conductor and orchestra suggests itself to be naturally definitive. In this case however, it may be true. As a former student of Penderecki's, Antoni Wit brings authoritative insight to his direction of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra on this three volume set of Penderecki's orchestral works. The pieces are not presented chronologically. Instead, each disc pairs earlier and later works, which provides a good comparison of the composer's earliest groundbreaking work to his later neo-romantic symphonies.
The third volume includes Penderecki's Second and Fourth Symphonies. The Second Symphony, known as the 'Christmas Symphony,' continues the composer's exploration of neo-romanticism. Tortuous chromaticism, darkly introspective strings and fierce brass declarations color this as a Christmas of extreme sobriety. Moments of exuberant triumph alternate with ferocious doom. A careful listening will reveal the setting of the carol "Silent Night" in the first movement, and again in the finale. The Fourth Symphony opens with long sustained notes in the brass, wrapped in winding chromatic lines by the orchestra; this is a texture that recurs in various combinations through the symphony.