IGNACY JAN PADEREWSKI (1860-1941): Symphony in B Minor "Polonia".

Description: Strongly nationalistic in intent and expression, this 75-minute monster from 1909 is generally somber and intense. The Liszt-Tchaikovsky tradition is strongly present in its half-hour long first movement, the Andante is dark and lyrical, the finale (27 minutes and a miniature tone poem in its own right) seems to trace a progression to a victory over the forces of evil (a krakowiak-type dance theme making appearances throughout). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Jerzy Maksymiuk. Original 1998 Hyperion release.