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Paweł Łukaszewski (1968-    )

Paweł Łukaszewski, composerOf the younger generation of Polish composers specializing in sacred choral music, Pawel Lukaszewski (b.1968) unquestionably stands out, not only for his ability to encapsulate the expressive essence of a text with unrivalled immediacy and economy of technical means but also for his facility for idiomatic vocal writing. Lukaszewski arguably has Church music in his blood, having been born in the southern Polish city of Czestochowa, since the fourteenth century a major centre of pilgrimage on account of the celebrated Black Madonna icon of the Virgin Mary housed in the Paulist monastery of Jasna Góra (Shining Mountain), and today home of the annual Gaude Mater International Festival of Sacred Music. On the face of it, Lukaszewski’s musical language has obvious affinities with the compositional idioms of his older compatriots Henryk Górecki (b1933) and Wojciech Kilar (b1932), and also with those of the Estonian Arvo Pärt (b1935) and the Englishman John Tavener (b1944). At the heart of his musical language is what Lukaszewski prefers to term ‘renewed tonality’. While this involves the deployment of major and minor triads, which act as core points of reference, and the use of fragmentary vestiges of common-practice harmony, it is primarily founded on the non-functional progression between distantly connected triads and chords with added sixths, sevenths and/or ninths, in addition to more exotic sonorities constructed, for example, from pairs of interlocking perfect fifths. This ‘extended’ tonal sound world is enriched by highly selective use of vocal effects such as glissandi, parlando (speaking) and susurrando (whispering), all of which occur invariably in direct response to clear textual stimuli. Ultimately, the resonances between Lukaszewski’s works and those of his precursors prove to be only superficial: his harmonic palette is more subtle and immensely more varied than those of Górecki, Pärt and Tavener, and he is apt to eschew tried-and-tested formulae, creating an essentially unique mode of harmonic operation for each piece. Equally individual are his meticulous attention to proportional concerns (particularly the placing of climaxes) and metrical patterns, and his derivation of musical structures from the formal and narrative parameters of his texts.
-  Paul Wingfield/Hyperion Records

Pawel Lukaszewski is one of the younger generation of Polish composers specialising in sacred and choral music. He studied composition with Marian Borkowski and cello with Andrzej Wrobel at the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and in 2000 and 2007 he received a Ph.D and Ph.D Hab. respectively in composition. His works have been performed throughout Europe including Britain, Belarus, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Ukraine and at the Vatican as well as in Argentine, Chile, China, Israel, Cuba, Canada, South Korea, Peru, Uruguay and the United States. Awards for his compositions include First Prize at the Frédéric Chopin Academy of Music Competition for Arrampicata, Second Prize at the Young Composers Forum in Kraków for Winterreise, an award from the President of Czestochowa for his entire musical output, Second Prize in the Adam Didur competition in Sanok for Recordationes de Christo moriendo, Second Prize in the Florilčge Vocal de Tours Competition in France for Two Lent Motets and two Third Prizes in the Pro Arte competition in Wroclaw for Church Songs. In addition, he received the Order of the Knight - Polonia Restituta Cross, Saint Albert Cross and Fryderyk 2007 Award. Lukaszewski has taught composition at various institutions including the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and in Chile as visiting professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaķso, the Universidad de Chile in Santiago and the Universidad de Playa Ancha in Valparaķso. Also an active conductor, Lukaszewski is Artistic Director and Conductor of Musica Sacra Cathedral Choir in Warsaw. He has served as President of the Musica Sacra Society in Warsaw and Organizing Director of the Laboratory of Contemporary Music International Festival in Warsaw. His works have been recorded on more than fifty CD albums.
-  Chester Novello

COMPOSITIONS                                                            Łukaszewski Links     ~ ~ ~     Works by Genre
Aquarelles (Akwarele), piano (1984-88)
Modlitwa do Matki Boskiej Gromnicznej, chorus (1988) [in Six Pieces, chorus, 1988-94]
Three Works, chorus (1989) [Prośba; Modlitwa; Pieśń] [in Six Pieces, chorus, 1988-94]
Litania I – do Madonny Treblinskiej, mezzo-sop, chorus, 2 trpts, organ & bells (1990) [completion of work by W. Lukaszewski]
Quasi Sonata, clarinet and piano (1991)
Capriccio for P.P., violin (1991)
Two Preludes, piano (1989-92)
Arrampicata, orchestra (1992)
Tu es Petrus, chorus (1992) [in Sacred Pieces, chorus, 1992-96]
Ave Maria, chorus (1992) [in Ave, 2 choruses, 1992-2003]
Three Songs (words by Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska), mezzo-soprano and piano (1992)
Le jeux de l'amour et du hasard, incidental music, 2-track tape (1992)
One Week in London, 2-track tape (1992)
Winterreise, string orchestra (1993)
Ostatni list św. Maksymiliana do Matki, chorus (1993) [in Six Pieces, chorus, 1988-94]
Eight Songs for Children, voice and piano (1993) [also ver. for children's chorus and piano]
Aragena, soprano, cello and tape delay system (1993)
Hałda, film score (1993)
The Dusk, 2-track tape (1993)
Modlitwa za Ojczyznę, chorus (1994) [used in Missa pro Patria, 1998] [in Six Pieces, chorus, 1988-94]
Dominum benedicite in aeternum, chorus, brass and percussion (1994)
Stabat Mater, 3 female choruses (1994)
String Quartet No. 1 (1994)
Vesperae pro defunctis, tenor, Gregorian chorus, 2 double choruses and orchestra (1995)
Two Lenten Motets, chorus (1995)
Angelus Domini, chorus (1995) [in Sacred Pieces, chorus, 1992-96]
Kruk w kąpieli, children's chorus (1995) [in Two Pieces (Kruk w kapieli), 1995-2002]
Organ Concerto, organ and string orchestra (1996)
Jubilate Deo, chorus (1996) [in Sacred Pieces, chorus, 1992-96]
Warsaw Wind (Warszawski wiatr), chorus (1996)
Recordationes de Christo moriendo, mezzo-soprano and chamber orchestra (1996)
Two Sacred Songs, baritone or bass and piano (1996-97; rev. 2005) [Boże, Ojcze nasz i opiekunie, 1996; Ciemna noc, 1997]
Concerto, string orchestra (1997)
Gaudium et Spes, soprano, double chorus and orchestra (1997)
O radix Jesse, female chorus (1997) [from Antiphonae, chorus, 1995-99]
Missa pro Patria, soprano, mezzo-soprano, chorus and symphonic band (1998) (1997?)
Antiphonae, chorus (1995-99) [O Sapientia; O Adonai; O radix Jesse; O clavis David; O Oriens; O Rex gentium; O Emmanuel]
Jesu Christi prostrationes, chorus (1999)
Souvenir I, organ (1999)
Souvenir II, piano (1999)
Two Songs, baritone and piano (1989-2000) [mvts may be performed separately: Gdy wiatr powieje; W mojej Ojczyznie]
Church Songs (9 songs), voice and organ (1996-2000)
Via Crucis, countertenor, tenor, baritone, speaker, chorus and orchestra (2000)
Two Christmas Motets, female chorus (2000) [Venite adoremus; Laetentur caeli]
Pieśni, congregation and leader (2000)
String Quartet No. 2 (2000)
Christmas Carols (9 carols), chorus (1992-2001)
Christmas Carols (12 carols), female chorus (1998-2001)
Litania II – do sw. Klemensa (Litanae de Sancto Clemente), soprano, chorus and organ/or string orchestra (2001)
Kocie spotkanie, children's chorus (2002) [in Two Pieces (Kruk w kapieli), 1995-2002]
Hommage ą Edith Stein, chorus (2002)
Stadium, piano (2002)
Haiku (4 songs), soprano and piano (2002) [Haru; Natsu; Aki; Fuyu]
Elogium, baritone, cello, bells and string orchestra (2002)
Beatus Vir (7 sections), chorus (1996-2003)
Three Orthodox Prayers, female chorus (2001-03)
Psalmus 102, chorus (2002-03)
Litania III – do Meczenników Miedzyrzeckich, soprano, chorus, violin and 29 or more strings (2003)
Litanae de Sanctis Marthyris, [????] (2003)
Exsultet, soprano, mezzo-soprano, female chorus and orchestra (2003)
Ave Maris Stella, chorus (2003) [in Ave, 2 choruses, 1992-2003]
Gloria Gentis, female chorus (2003)
Moai, flute (2003)
Sinfonietta, string orchestra (2004)
Salvete Flores Martyrum, 2 female choruses, 2 pianos and 7-8 percussion (2004)
Veni creator, double chorus (2004)
Messa per voci e fiati, chorus and woodwind octet (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets and 2 bassoons) (2004)
String Quartet No. 3 (2004)
Offertorium, organ (2004)
Symphony No. 2, "Festinemus amare homines", 2 sopranos, 2 pianos, chorus and orchestra (2005)
Pearl of Wisdom, 2 pianos (2005)
Concerto for String Orchestra (2006)
Divertimento, chamber orchestra (2006)
Trinity Concerto, orchestra (2006)
Concertino for piano and brass (2007)
Terra nova et caelum novum, chorus or chorus and string orchestra (2007) [used in First Symphony]
Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, saxophones, percussion, chorus and string orchestra (2007)
Nunc dimittis, chorus (2007)
Concertino for piano and brass (2007)
Un cadeau, celesta, marimbaphone, harpsichord, piano and organ (2007)
Genome, string orchestra (2008)
Utopia, orchestra (2008)
Piano Concerto (2008) [version of Organ Concerto, 1996]
Symphony No. 1, "Symphony of Providence", soprano, mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra (2008)
Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra (2008)
Miserere, soprano, chorus, brass, percussion and string orchestra (2008)
Sacerdos et Pontifex, chorus, small organ and grand organ (2008)
Two Funeral Psalms, chorus (2008) [Psalmus 120; Psalmus 129]
Piano Trio, violin, cello and piano (2008)
Małe concertino, cello and piano (2008)
Concertino for organ and brass (2009)
Five Funeral Kurpian Songs, chorus (2009)
Salve Regina, double chorus (2009)
Laudate Dominum, female choir and organ (2009)
Concertino for organ and brass (2009)


WORKS BY GENRE                                                            Łukaszewski Links     ~ top of page ~
Orchestra
Arrampicata, orchestra (1992)
Winterreise, string orchestra (1993)
Concerto, string orchestra (1997)
Sinfonietta, string orchestra (2004)
Concerto for String Orchestra (2006)
Divertimento, chamber orchestra (2006)
Trinity Concerto, orchestra (2006)
Genome, string orchestra (2008)
Utopia, orchestra (2008)

Band
Missa pro Patria, soprano, mezzo-soprano, chorus and symphonic band (1997)

Soloist(s) w/Orchestra/Ensemble
Organ Concerto, organ and string orchestra (1996)
Concertino for piano and brass (2007)
Piano Concerto (2008) [version of Organ Concerto, 1996]
Concertino for organ and brass (2009)

Chorus w/Orchestra
Dominum benedicite in aeternum, chorus, brass and percussion (1994)
Vesperae pro defunctis, tenor, Gregorian chorus, 2 double choruses and orchestra (1995)
Gaudium et Spes, soprano, double chorus and orchestra (1997)
Missa pro Patria, soprano, mezzo-soprano, chorus and symphonic band (1998)
Via Crucis, countertenor, tenor, baritone, speaker, chorus and orchestra (2000)
Litania II – do sw. Klemensa (Litanae de Sancto Clemente), soprano, chorus and organ/or string orchestra (2001)
Litania III – do Meczenników Miedzyrzeckich, soprano, chorus, violin and 29 or more strings (2003)
Litanae de Sanctis Marthyris, [????] (2003)
Exsultet, soprano, mezzo-soprano, female chorus and orchestra (2003)
Symphony No. 2, "Festinemus amare homines", 2 sopranos, 2 pianos, chorus and orchestra (2005)
Terra nova et caelum novum, chorus or chorus and string orchestra (2007) [used in First Symphony]
Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, saxophones, percussion, chorus and string orchestra (2007)
Symphony No. 1, "Symphony of Providence", soprano, mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra (2008)
Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra (2008)
Miserere, soprano, chorus, brass, percussion and string orchestra (2008)

Choral
Six Pieces, chorus (1988-94)
    - Modlitwa do Matki Boskiej Gromnicznej, chorus (1988)
    - Three Works, chorus (1989) [Prośba; Modlitwa; Pieśń]
    - Ostatni list św. Maksymiliana do Matki, chorus (1993)
    - Modlitwa za Ojczyznę, chorus (1994) [used in Missa pro Patria, 1998]
Litania I – do Madonny Treblinskiej, mezzo-sop, chorus, 2 trpts, organ & bells (1990) [completion of work by W. Lukaszewski]
Eight Songs for Children, children's chorus and piano (1993) [arr. from work for voice and piano]
Dominum benedicite in aeternum, chorus, brass and percussion (1994)
Stabat Mater, 3 female choruses (1994)
Two Lenten Motets, chorus (1995)
Sacred Pieces, chorus (1992-96) [Tu es Petrus, 1992; Angelus Domini, 1995; Jubilate Deo, 1996]
Warsaw Wind (Warszawski wiatr), chorus (1996)
O radix Jesse, female chorus (1997) [from Antiphonae, chorus, 1995-99]
Antiphonae, chorus (1995-99) [O Sapientia; O Adonai; O radix Jesse; O clavis David; O Oriens; O Rex gentium; O Emmanuel]
Jesu Christi prostrationes, chorus (1999)
Two Christmas Motets, female chorus (2000) [Venite adoremus; Laetentur caeli]
Pieśni, congregation and leader (2000)
Christmas Carols (9 carols), chorus (1992-2001)
Christmas Carols (12 carols), female chorus (1998-2001)
Litania II – do sw. Klemensa, soprano, chorus and organ/or string orchestra (2001)
Two Pieces (Kruk w kapieli), children's chorus (1995-2002) [Kruk w kąpieli, 1995; Kocie spotkanie, 2002]
Hommage ą Edith Stein, chorus (2002)
Ave, 2 choruses (1992-2003) [Ave Maria, 1992; Ave Maris Stella, 2003]
Beatus Vir (7 sections), chorus (1996-2003)
Three Orthodox Prayers, female chorus (2001-03)
Psalmus 102, chorus (2002-03)
Gloria Gentis, female chorus (2003)
Salvete Flores Martyrum, 2 female choruses, 2 pianos and 7-8 percussion (2004)
Veni creator, double chorus (2004)
Messa per voci e fiati, chorus and woodwind octet (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets and 2 bassoons) (2004)
Nunc dimittis, chorus (2007)
Sacerdos et Pontifex, chorus, small organ and grand organ (2008)
Two Funeral Psalms, chorus (2008) [Psalmus 120; Psalmus 129]
Five Funeral Kurpian Songs, chorus (2009)
Salve Regina, double chorus (2009)
Laudate Dominum, female choir and organ (2009)

Chamber
Quasi Sonata, clarinet and piano (1991)
String Quartet No. 1 (1994)
String Quartet No. 2 (2000)
String Quartet No. 3 (2004)
Concertino for piano and brass (2007)
Un cadeau, celesta, marimbaphone, harpsichord, piano and organ (2007)
Piano Trio, violin, cello and piano (2008)
Concertino for organ and brass (2009)

Solo Instrument
Capriccio for P.P., violin (1991)
Quasi Sonata, clarinet and piano (1991)
Moai, flute (2003)
Małe concertino, cello and piano (2008)

Piano/Organ
Aquarelles (Akwarele), piano (1984-88)
Two Preludes, piano (1989-92)
Souvenir I, organ (1999)
Souvenir II, piano (1999)
Stadium, piano (2002)
Offertorium, organ (2004)
Pearl of Wisdom, 2 pianos (2005)

Vocal
Three Songs (words by Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska), mezzo-soprano and piano (1992)
Eight Songs for Children, voice and piano (1993) [also ver. for children's chorus and piano]
Aragena, soprano, cello and tape delay system (1993)
Recordationes de Christo moriendo, mezzo-soprano and chamber orchestra (1996)
Two Sacred Songs, baritone or bass and piano (1996-97; rev. 2005) [Boże, Ojcze nasz i opiekunie, 1996; Ciemna noc, 1997]
Two Songs, baritone and piano (1989-2000) [mvts may be performed separately: Gdy wiatr powieje; W mojej Ojczyznie]
Church Songs (9 songs), voice and organ (1996-2000)
Haiku (4 songs), soprano and piano (2002) [Haru; Natsu; Aki; Fuyu]
Elogium, baritone, cello, bells and string orchestra (2002)

Incidental/Film
Le jeux de l'amour et du hasard, incidental music, 2-track tape (1992)
Hałda, film score (1993)

Electronic
Le jeux de l'amour et du hasard, incidental music, 2-track tape (1992)
One Week in London, 2-track tape (1992)
The Dusk, 2-track tape (1993)


ŁUKASZEWSKI  LINKS                                                            Works by Genre      ~ top of page ~
Composer's website
Composer website (@ The Living Composers Project)

Łukaszewski @ Wikipedia
Łukaszewski @ Wikipedia (Polish)    or     in English (translated by google)
Łukaszewski @ BBC Music
Łukaszewski @ Chester Novello
Łukaszewski @ Classical Composers Database
Łukaszewski @ composition:today
Łukaszewski @ Hyperion Records
Łukaszewski @ Musica Sacra Edition
Łukaszewski @ MusicWeb International
Łukaszewski @ MusicalCriticism.com
Łukaszewski @ Polish Music Information Centre
Łukaszewski @ PWM Edition    also     here
Łukaszewski @ Warsaw Autumn

Streaming Audio
Łukaszewski @ Composer's website (under individual works listings)
Łukaszewski @ last.fm
Łukaszewski @ last.fm (Polish)
Łukaszewski @ Music & Vision

Recordings
Łukaszewski @ ArkivMusic
Łukaszewski @ ClassicsOnline
Łukaszewski @ Hyperion Records

Łukaszewski @ YouTube
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