Szymanowski: King Roger & Symphony No. 4

Simon Rattle’s luminous reading of Szymanowski’s philosophical opera King Roger won a Gramophone Award for opera on its first release in 2000. ‘A vibrantly dramatic account, revealing potent theatricality from the outset and sustaining its grip throughout’ (Gramophone), Rattle’s recording is coupled with Szymanowski’s colourful Fourth Symphony, with the solo piano part assuredly performed here by Leif Ove Andsnes.