The second volume in the Witold Lutosławski (1913–1994) symphony cycle by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and its chief conductor Hannu Lintu brings together two symphonies which belong to the most remarkable symphonic creations of the late 20th century. In his Second and Third Symphonies, Lutosławski is laying out the principal foundations of his creative legacy.

Lutosławski completed his Second Symphony in 1967. This symphony is the most radical of the composer’s four symphonies and makes full use of aleatoric writing. During the writing process, Lutosławski was particularly preoccupied with the issue of symphonic form. The symphonic process is built up not of themes and how they evolve but of the dynamics between entire textures, how they meet and contrast. The movements are of roughly the same length but completely different in character. The first movement deliberately sketches out music of sporadic ideas and fragments, fostering dissatisfaction and frustration in the listener that are then dispelled by the second movement. The concept is underlined by the titles of the movements, Hésitant and Direct.

Lutosławski began sketching out his Third Symphony shortly after completing its predecessor. However, it took until the early 1980s when the composer was finally able to write it down. By then, the composer had already stylistically shifted towards more rich and diverse expression. This dramatic 30-minute work was premiered by Georg Solti in 1983 and undoubtedly influenced by the social unrest in Poland of the time. For many, this work is the climax among the composer’s symphonies and belongs to the greatest achievements of the symphonies of our time.