Krzysztof Penderecki's "A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..." is a captivating exploration of life's journey, composed for the final concert of the Chopin bicentenary celebrations in Warsaw in 2010. This avant-garde requiem, released under the Naxos label in 2015, is a profound musical narrative that weaves together the words of Polish poets from various styles and periods. The album is divided into three parts, each offering a unique perspective on the human experience, from the innocence of childhood to the inevitability of death.
The first part, "The Enchanted Garden," paints a vivid picture of youth and nature, with tracks like "Children Among Poppies" and "Beneath a Mysterious Tree" evoking a sense of wonder and curiosity. The second part, "What Is the Night Saying?," delves into the mysteries of the night and the silence that surrounds us, featuring hauntingly beautiful pieces such as "Sky at Night" and "Silence." The final part, "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days," reflects on mortality and remembrance, with tracks like "Requiem. Chopin's Piano I" and "Countess Potocka's Grave" offering a poignant meditation on loss and legacy.
Performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Antoni Wit, this album is a testament to Penderecki's mastery of composition and his ability to convey deep emotional and philosophical themes through music. With a duration of 56 minutes, "A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..." is a compelling listen that invites you to contemplate the beauty and complexity of life.
2015 Naxos2015 Naxos
Tracks
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 1 "The Enchanted Garden": No. 1, Children Among PoppiesKrzysztof Penderecki, Ewa Marciniec, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 1 "The Enchanted Garden": No. 2, Beneath a Mysterious TreeKrzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 1 "The Enchanted Garden": No. 3, Request for the Happy IslesKrzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 1 "The Enchanted Garden": No. 4, The Autumn Woods, Their Leaves Already TurningKrzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 1 "The Enchanted Garden": No. 5, Emptiness (A Solitary Tree)Krzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 1 "The Enchanted Garden": No. 6, The AngelusKrzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Ewa Marciniec, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 2 "What Is the Night Saying?": No. 1, Sky at NightKrzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 2 "What Is the Night Saying?": No. 2, SilenceKrzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 2 "What Is the Night Saying?": No. 3, What Is the Night Saying?Krzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 2 "What Is the Night Saying?": A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on MeKrzysztof Penderecki, Ewa Marciniec, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 2 "What Is the Night Saying?": O Silent Night, Blue-Hued NightKrzysztof Penderecki, Ewa Marciniec, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 1, Requiem. Chopin's Piano IKrzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 2, I Can See Some Land Far AwayKrzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Ewa Marciniec, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 3, Chopin's Piano IIKrzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 4, The Wind, an Autumn Wind, HowledKrzysztof Penderecki, Ewa Marciniec, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 5, If I Forget You, Fighting WarsawKrzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 6, Mr. Cogito Thinks About Returning to His Home TownKrzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 7, Chopin's Piano IIIKrzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 8, Countess Potocka's GraveKrzysztof Penderecki, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 9, To a Polish Pine - No. 10, Chopin's Piano IVKrzysztof Penderecki, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
A Sea of Dreams Did Breathe on Me..., Pt. 3 "I Visited You in These Near-Final Days": No. 11, The AngelusKrzysztof Penderecki, Olga Pasichnyk, Ewa Marciniec, Jaroslaw Brek, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit
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