Lutoslawski: Journey towards Freedom: January 24, 2012

Our latest Noteworthy video acknowledges the legacy of the great Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski (1913-94), whose 99th birthday we celebrate on January 25. The video is taken from the terrific 1996 documentary entitled “Journey Towards Freedom”, narrated by English conductor Sir Simon Rattle, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In this 15-minute video, Maestro Rattle provides biographical background and aesthetic insight into Lutoslawski’s musical mind, along with brief interviews with Lutoslawski himself, and most importantly excerpts of various key works by this maverick of the 20th century – his Concerto for Orchestra (1954), Venetian Games (1961), and the Symphony No.3 (1973), all in rehearsal. Lutoslawski was one of the most influential composers of the second half of the 20th century, who opened up vistas for so many who have followed. Enjoy, and tell us what you think!

Simon Rattle presents Lutoslawski: Journey Towards Freedom