Górecki: Oxford Studies of Composers
0
0
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Author Description
This book is the first detailed study of Polish composer Henryk Górecki, whose Third Symphony, written in 1976 and released on CD in 1992, became a bestseller and brought Goreki international renown. Written by a leading enthusiast of Górecki's music, this volume ranges from the composer's large orchestral scores (Sconti, Refrain, the Symphonies) and choral works (Beatus Vir, commissioned by and dedicated to Pope John Paul II) to the more modest church songs and folk-song arrangements. Granted numerous interviews and access to unpublished material, the author discusses Górecki's position as leader of the Polish avant-garde in the late 1950s, and his subsequent discovery of the folk and church music of Old Poland, most notably that of the Podhale region in southern Poland. The book includes a complete list of works since 1955 with details of instrumentation and recordings, and a select bibliography.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the artistic evolution and stylistic shifts of Polish composer Henryk Górecki, examining how his work transitioned from avant-garde experimentation to a profound engagement with traditional Polish folk and religious music. Adrian M. K. Thomas, a recognized authority on Górecki’s compositions, utilizes exclusive interviews and access to unpublished archives to construct a comprehensive analytical framework. The text evaluates the composer's trajectory from his leadership within the Polish avant-garde of the 1950s to the global success of his Third Symphony, providing a scholarly assessment of his diverse output.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed analysis of major orchestral scores including Sconti, Refrain, and the symphonic cycle.
- Examination of choral works such as Beatus Vir, commissioned for Pope John Paul II.
- Exploration of the influence of Podhale regional folk music and traditional church music on the composer's later style.
- A complete catalog of works composed since 1955, including instrumentation data and discography references.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and musicologists regard this volume as a foundational text for understanding the technical and cultural context of Górecki's music. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous and necessary resource for those studying 20th-century Polish composition.
Page Count:
212
Publication Date:
1997-06-26
Publisher:
Clarendon Press
ISBN-10:
0198163940
ISBN-13:
9780198163947
Biography
Music
Composers
Music Polish
Music History
