Search Pytheas   use Pytheas SiteSearch   need help searching?  

Henryk Górecki (1933-2010)

Henryk Gorecki composerHenryk Górecki is that rarity among contemporary composers: the originator of a full-fledged hit. A recording of his Symphony No. 3 by the London Sinfonietta with soprano Dawn Upshaw climbed to the top of the British pop charts in the early '90s. Górecki was among the Eastern European composers for whom contemporary stylistic trends (first serialism and then the various reactions against it) took on anti-authoritarian overtones, and who thus emerged in the forefront of late twentieth century music; in his works, stylistic originality seems a personal and political necessity. He studied with Szabelski at the Katowice Conservatory and with Messiaen in Paris. His music has connections with Penderecki, but its deepest affinities are with ancient Polish religious music, and it often shows a saintly simplicity.
-  All Music Guide & Answers.com

COMPOSITIONS                                                            Górecki  Links     ~ ~ ~     Works by Genre
Four Preludes, piano, op. 1 (1955)
Toccata, 2 pianos, op. 2 (1955)
Three Songs, voice and piano, op. 3 (1956)
Variations for Violin and Piano, op. 4 (1956)
Quartettino, 2 flutes, oboe and violin, op. 5 (1956)
Piano Sonata No. 1, op. 6 (1956-1990)
Songs of Joy and Rhythm, 2 pianos and chamber orchestra, op. 7 (1956; rev. 1959)
Sonatina in One Movement, violin and piano, op. 8 (1956)
Five Little Preludes, piano, op. 9 (1956)
Sonata for Two Violins, op. 10 (1957)
Concerto, 5 instruments and string quartet, op. 11 (1957)
Epitafium, chorus and ensemble, op. 12 (1958)
Five Pieces, 2 pianos or piano 4-hands, op. 13 (1959)
Symphony No. 1, "1959", string orchestra and percussion, op. 14 (1959)
Three Diagrams, flute, op. 15 (1959)
Wieza samotnosci (Thunder Rock) Tower of loneliness, incidental music (1959)
Akwarium (Aquarium), incidental music (1959)
Monologhi, soprano, 2 harps and percussion, op. 16 (1960)
Scontri, orchestra, op. 17 (1960)
Papierowa laleczka, incidental music/song to text of Arthur Miller (1960)
Diagram No. 4, flute, op. 18 (1961)
Genesis I: Elementi per tre archi (for three strings), op. 19, no. 1 (1962)
Genesis II: Canti strumentali per 15 esecutori, op. 19, no. 2 (1962)
Genesis III: Monodramma, soprano, percussion and double basses, op. 19 (1963)
Three Pieces in an Old Style, string orchestra (1963)
Choros I, string orchestra, op. 20 (1964)
Refrain, orchestra, op. 21 (1965)
La Musiquette No. 1 (Muzyczka I), 2 trumpets and guitar, op. 22 (1967)
La Musiquette No. 2 (Muzyczka II), 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 2 pianos and percussion, op. 23 (1967)
Old Polish Music (Muzyka Staropolska), orchestra, op. 24 (1969)
La Musiquette No. 3 (Muzyczka III), viola ensemble, op. 25 (1967)
Cantata, organ, op. 26 (1968)
Canticum graduum, orchestra, op. 27 (1969)
Jedre, music for short black-and-white film (1969)
La Musiquette No. 4 (Muzyczka IV), "Trombone Concerto", trombone, clarinet, cello and piano, op. 28 (1970)
Ad Matrem, soprano, chorus and orchestra, op. 29 (1971)
Two Sacred Songs, baritone and orchestra/piano, op. 30 (1971)
Symphony No. 2, "Copernican", soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra, op. 31 (1972)
Euntes ibant et flebant, chorus, op. 32 (1972)
Two Little Songs of Tuwim, chorus of 4 equal voices, op. 33 (1972)
Three Dances, orchestra, op. 34 (1973)
Amen, chorus, op. 35 (1975)
Symphony No. 3, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs", soprano and orchestra, op. 36 (1976)
Three Little Pieces, violin and piano, op. 37 (1977)
Beatus Vir, baritone, chorus and orchestra, op. 38 (1979)
Broad Waters, 5 folk songs, chorus, op. 39
Concerto, harpsichord (or piano) and string orchestra, op. 40 (1980)
Mazurkas, piano, op. 41 (1980)
Two Songs of Lorca, voice and piano, op. 42 (1956/80)
Blessed Raspberry Songs, voice and piano, op. 43 (1980)
Miserere, chorus, op. 44 (1981)
Dark Evening is Falling (Wieczór ciemny sie uniza), folk song, chorus, op. 45 (1981)
My Vistula, Grey Vistula, folk song, chorus, op. 46 (1981)
Lullabies and Dances, violin and piano, op. 47 (1982)
Two Songs of Slowacky, voice and piano, op. 48 (1983)
Three Lullabies (Cradle Songs), chorus, op. 49 (1984; rev. 1991)
Oh My Little Garland of Lavender (Ach, mój wianku lewandowy, folk song, chorus, op. 50 (1984)
Cloud Comes, Rain Falls (Idzie chmura, pada deszcz), folk song, chorus, op. 51 (1984)
Sundry Pieces, piano, op. 52 (1956-1990)
Recitatives and Ariosos, "Lerchenmusik (Music of the Larks)", clarinet, cello and piano, op. 53 (1984)
Five Marian Songs, chorus, op. 54 (1985)
O Domina Nostra (Meditations on Our Lady of Jasna Gora), soprano and organ, op. 55 (1985)
(Under Your Protection) Pod Twoja obrone, chorus, op. 56 (1985)
Angelus Domini (Na Aniol Panski), chorus, op. 57 (1985)
For You, Anne-Lill, flute and piano, op. 58 (1986-90)
Two Marian Hymns, solo voices a cappella (1986)
Aria, opera scene for tuba, piano, tam-tam and bass drum, op. 59 (1987)
Totus Tuus, chorus, op. 60 (1987)
Come Holy Spirit (Przybadz Duchu Swiety), chorus, op. 61 (1988)
Already It Is Dusk (String Quartet No. 1), op. 62 (1988)
Good Night (Dobranoc), soprano, alto flute, piano and percussion, op. 63 (1990)
Intermezzo, piano (1990)
Quasi una Fantasia (String Quartet No. 2), op. 64 (1990-91; arr. for string orchestra, op. 78, 2002)
Concerto-Cantata, flute and orchestra, op. 65 (1992)
Kleines Requiem für eine Polka, piano and 13 instruments, op. 66 (1993)
... songs are sung (String Quartet No. 3), op. 67 (1993-99)
Three Songs of Konopnicka, voice and piano, op. 68 (1954/1995)
Three Fragments, voice and piano, op. 69 (1995-96)
Valentine Piece, flute and little bell, op. 70 (1996)
Piece for Clarinet and String Quartet, op. 71 (1996)
Sanctus Adalbertus (Salve, sidus Polonorum), chorus and ensemble, op. 72 (1997-2000)
Kleine Phantasie (Little Fantasia), violin and piano, op. 73 (1997)
???, op. 74
Hej, z gory, z gory! koniku bury (5 Kurpian Songs), chorus, op. 75 (1999/2000)
Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise), chorus, op. 76 (2000)
Niech Nam Zyja i Spiewaja, chorus, op. 77 (2000)
Quasi una fantasia, string orchestra, op. 78 (2002; arrangement of work for string quartet, op. 64)
Dla Jasiunia (3 little piece), violin and piano, op. 79 (2003)
Po co zes tu pszyszlo siwa Mglo, small pieces for two groups of violins, op. 80 (2003)
The Song of Rodziny Katynskie, chorus, op. 81 (2004)
Symphony No. 4, orchestra (2009)


WORKS BY GENRE                                                            Górecki  Links      ~ top of page ~
Orchestra
Symphony No. 1, "1959", string orchestra and percussion, op. 14 (1959)
Scontri, orchestra, op. 17 (1960)
Three Pieces in an Old Style, string orchestra (1963)
Choros I, string orchestra, op. 20 (1964)
Refrain, orchestra, op. 21 (1965)
Old Polish Music (Muzyka Staropolska), orchestra, op. 24 (1969)
Canticum graduum, orchestra, op. 27 (1969)
Three Dances, orchestra, op. 34 (1973)
Symphony No. 3, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs", soprano and orchestra, op. 36 (1976)
Quasi una fantasia, string orchestra, op. 78 (2002; arrangement of work for string quartet, op. 64)
Symphony No. 4, orchestra (2009)

Soloist(s) w/Orchestra/Ensemble
Songs of Joy and Rhythm, 2 pianos and chamber orchestra, op. 7 (1956; rev. 1959)
La Musiquette No. 4 (Muzyczka IV), "Trombone Concerto", trombone, clarinet, cello and piano, op. 28 (1970)
Concerto, harpsichord (or piano) and string orchestra, op. 40 (1980)
Concerto-Cantata, flute and orchestra, op. 65 (1992)
Kleines Requiem für eine Polka, piano and 13 instruments, op. 66 (1993)

Chorus w/Orchestra/Ensemble
Epitafium, chorus and ensemble, op. 12 (1958)
Ad Matrem, soprano, chorus and orchestra, op. 29 (1971)
Two Sacred Songs, baritone and orchestra/piano, op. 30 (1971)
Symphony No. 2, "Copernican", soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra, op. 31 (1972)
Beatus Vir, baritone, chorus and orchestra, op. 38 (1979)
Sanctus Adalbertus (Salve, sidus Polonorum), chorus and ensemble, op. 72 (1997-2000)

Choral
Euntes ibant et flebant, chorus, op. 32 (1972)
Two Little Songs of Tuwim, chorus of 4 equal voices, op. 33 (1972)
Amen, chorus, op. 35 (1975)
Broad Waters, 5 folk songs, chorus, op. 39
Miserere, chorus, op. 44 (1981)
Dark Evening is Falling (Wieczór ciemny sie uniza), folk song, chorus, op. 45 (1981)
My Vistula, Grey Vistula, folk song, chorus, op. 46 (1981)
Three Lullabies (Cradle Songs), chorus, op. 49 (1984; rev. 1991)
Oh My Little Garland of Lavender (Ach, mój wianku lewandowy, folk song, chorus, op. 50 (1984)
Cloud Comes, Rain Falls (Idzie chmura, pada deszcz), folk song, chorus, op. 51 (1984)
Five Marian Songs, chorus, op. 54 (1985)
(Under Your Protection) Pod Twoja obrone, chorus, op. 56 (1985)
Angelus Domini (Na Aniol Panski), chorus, op. 57 (1985)
Two Marian Hymns, solo voices a cappella (1986)
Totus Tuus, chorus, op. 60 (1987)
Come Holy Spirit (Przybadz Duchu Swiety), chorus, op. 61 (1988)
Hej, z gory, z gory! koniku bury (5 Kurpian Songs), chorus, op. 75 (1999/2000)
Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise), chorus, op. 76 (2000)
Niech Nam Zyja i Spiewaja, chorus, op. 77 (2000)
The Song of Rodziny Katynskie, chorus, op. 81 (2004)

Chamber
Quartettino, 2 flutes, oboe and violin, op. 5 (1956)
Sonata for Two Violins, op. 10 (1957)
Concerto, 5 instruments and string quartet, op. 11 (1957)
Genesis I: Elementi per tre archi (for three strings), op. 19, no. 1 (1962)
Genesis II: Canti strumentali per 15 esecutori, op. 19, no. 2 (1962)
La Musiquette No. 1 (Muzyczka I), 2 trumpets and guitar, op. 22 (1967)
La Musiquette No. 2 (Muzyczka II), 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 2 pianos and percussion, op. 23 (1967)
La Musiquette No. 3 (Muzyczka III), viola ensemble, op. 25 (1967)
Recitatives and Ariosos, "Lerchenmusik (Music of the Larks)", clarinet, cello and piano, op. 53 (1984)
Aria, opera scene for tuba, piano, tam-tam and bass drum, op. 59 (1987)
Already It Is Dusk (String Quartet No. 1), op. 62 (1988)
Quasi una Fantasia (String Quartet No. 2), op. 64 (1990-91; arr. for string orchestra, op. 78, 2002)
... songs are sung (String Quartet No. 3), op. 67 (1993-99)
Piece for Clarinet and String Quartet, op. 71 (1996)
Po co zes tu pszyszlo siwa Mglo, small pieces for two groups of violins, op. 80 (2003)

Solo Instrument
Variations for Violin and Piano, op. 4 (1956)
Sonatina in One Movement, violin and piano, op. 8 (1956)
Three Diagrams, flute, op. 15 (1959)
Diagram No. 4, flute, op. 18 (1961)
Three Little Pieces, violin and piano, op. 37 (1977)
Lullabies and Dances, violin and piano, op. 47 (1982)
For You, Anne-Lill, flute and piano, op. 58 (1986-90)
Valentine Piece, flute and little bell, op. 70 (1996)
Kleine Phantasie (Little Fantasia), violin and piano, op. 73 (1997)
Dla Jasiunia (3 little piece), violin and piano, op. 79 (2003)

Piano/Organ
Four Preludes, piano, op. 1 (1955)
Toccata, 2 pianos, op. 2 (1955)
Piano Sonata No. 1, op. 6 (1956-1990)
Five Little Preludes, piano, op. 9 (1956)
Five Pieces, 2 pianos or piano 4-hands, op. 13 (1959)
Cantata, organ, op. 26 (1968)
Mazurkas, piano, op. 41 (1980)
Sundry Pieces, piano, op. 52 (1956-1990)
Intermezzo, piano (1990)

Vocal
Three Songs, voice and piano, op. 3 (1956)
Monologhi, soprano, 2 harps and percussion, op. 16 (1960)
Genesis III: Monodramma, soprano, percussion and double basses, op. 19 (1963)
Ad Matrem, soprano, chorus and orchestra, op. 29 (1971)
Two Sacred Songs, baritone and orchestra/piano, op. 30 (1971)
Symphony No. 3, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs", soprano and orchestra, op. 36 (1976)
Two Songs of Lorca, voice and piano, op. 42 (1956/80)
Blessed Raspberry Songs, voice and piano, op. 43 (1980)
Two Songs of Slowacky, voice and piano, op. 48 (1983)
O Domina Nostra (Meditations on Our Lady of Jasna Gora), soprano and organ, op. 55 (1985)
Good Night (Dobranoc), soprano, alto flute, piano and percussion, op. 63 (1990)
Three Songs of Konopnicka, voice and piano, op. 68 (1954/1995)
Three Fragments, voice and piano, op. 69 (1995-96)

Incidental/Film
Wieza samotnosci (Thunder Rock) Tower of Loneliness, incidental music (1959)
Akwarium (Aquarium), incidental music (1959)
Papierowa laleczka, incidental music/song to text of Arthur Miller (1960)
Jedre, music for short black-and-white film (1969)


GORECKI  LINKS                                                            Works by Genre      ~ top of page ~
A Communion of Tears: Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 and the Fellowship of Human Suffering
        (Steven Wingate, The Other Journal ...)
Conversation with Henryk Górecki: Leon Markiewicz, July 1962 (Polish Music Journal)
Górecki: A Conversation with Bruce Duffie
Górecki is on His Way Back Into the Limelight (Network Europe)
How Górecki Makes His Music (an interview with Norman Lebrecht @ La Scena Musicale)
Kronos Quartet, Henryk Górecki: String Quartet No. 3 (Steve Holtje, Culture Catch)
Polish Music Journal (June 2, 2003} [over 18 articles or interviews about/with Górecki]

Symphony No. 3, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs"
Anniversaries: Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 Premiered 30 Years Ago, Topped Charts 15 Years Ago
        (Steve Holtje, Culture Catch)
Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 as a Symbol of Polish Political History (Luke Howard, Brigham Young University)
Henryk Górecki: Symphony No. 3 "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" (Eamonn McCusker, CD Times)
Symphony No. 3, Symphony of Sorrowful Songs (almost cool music review)

Books
Górecki (Oxford Studies of Composers) (books.google.com)

Composer website (at Boosey & Hawkes)    . . .   inquire about Henryk Górecki:  here

Górecki @ Wikipedia
Górecki @ Answers.com
Górecki @ Boosey & Hawkes
Górecki @ Chester Novello
Górecki @ Classical Composers Database
Górecki @ Classical Net
Górecki @ composition:today
Górecki @ culture.pl
Górecki @ Dr. Estrella's Incredibly Abridged Dictionary of Composers
Górecki @ Humanities Web
Górecki @ IMDb (Internet Movie Database)
Górecki @ MusicWeb International    also    here
Górecki @ Naxos
Górecki @ The New York Times
Górecki @ Nonesuch Records
Górecki @ Pandora Internet Radio
Górecki @ Polish Music Center
Górecki @ Polish Music Information Centre
Górecki @ Prominent Poles
Górecki @ PWM (Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne)
Górecki @ REC Music Foundation - The Lied and Arts Song Texts Page
Górecki @ WNYC

Publisher
Górecki @ Boosey & Hawkes
Górecki @ Chester Novello
Górecki @ PWM (Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne)

Streaming Audio
Górecki @ The Classical MIDI Connection
Górecki @ last.fm
Górecki @ NPRmusic
Górecki @ Pandora Internet Radio
Górecki @ Rhapsody.com

Recordings
Górecki @ Amazon.com
Górecki @ ArkivMusic
Górecki @ CD Universe
Górecki @ ClassicsOnline
Górecki @ Discogs
Górecki @ itunes
Górecki @ Naxos

Video
Górecki @ YouTube
Górecki @ Google Video
Górecki @ Vimeo (via Google Advanced Search)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOME           ABOUT           RESOURCES           COMPOSERS           PERFORMANCES           20/21 ENSEMBLE           CONTACT US