Polish Requiem
Encyclopedia
Polish Requiem is a large scale Requiem Mass
for soloists, mixed choir and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki
, originally composed between 1980 and 1984, revised and expanded in 1993, and expanded again in 2005 with the additional movement, Ciaccona. It is so named as a 'Polish' Requiem because the several parts are dedicated to both the heroes and victims of Polish history. The work follows the liturgical Latin of the Requiem format, incorporating the traditional Polish hymn, Święty Boże.
The Polish Requiem is one of the best known works of Penderecki's later period.
in 1970. Penderecki responded with the Lacrimosa, dedicated to Lech Wałęsa
, which he later expanded into this requiem, writing other parts in honour of different patriotic events. The Agnus Dei was composed in 1981 in memory of his friend, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. The Recordare was written in 1982 for the beatification
of the Franciscan
Maximilian Kolbe
who had died in the Auschwitz concentration camp
. The Dies irae was written in memory of the Warsaw Uprising
of August and September 1944. Libera me, Domine was written commemorating the victims of the Katyn massacre
. A first version of the requiem was performed on 28 September 1984 by the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra
under the direction of Mstislav Rostropovitch.
In 1993 the Sanctus was added and the revised version conducted by the composer at a Penderecki festival in Stockholm
on 11 November 1993. The composer remarked in 1998, speaking about the work's historical and patriotic significance: "I don't write political music. Political music is immediately obsolete. My Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima
remains important because it is abstract music. The Requiem is dedicated to certain people and events, but the music has a broader significance."
In 2005 the composer added another movement in memory of Pope John Paul II
, Ciaccona in memoria Giovanni Paolo II per archi (for strings). The completed Requiem was first performed in the composer's hometown Kraków
in 2005.
as 108 minutes. The additional ciaccona
is set for string orchestra and has also been published, performed and recorded separately.
The name of the work is similar to A German Requiem, composed of sections from the bible in German. But Penderecki followed the liturgical Latin
of the Requiem (Mass for the deceased) and expanded it by the Trisagion
in Polish, Święty Boże, a "supplication sung in Poland in moments of danger" that appears in a separate movement (Offertorium) and also in the Recordare. Penderecki changed the order slightly by moving Communion closer to the end and creating a Finale.
(Germany) by teachers and students of the Kronberg Academy
, conducted by Frans Helmerson.
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
for soloists, mixed choir and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki
Krzysztof Penderecki
Krzysztof Penderecki , born November 23, 1933 in Dębica) is a Polish composer and conductor. His 1960 avant-garde Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima for string orchestra brought him to international attention, and this success was followed by acclaim for his choral St. Luke Passion. Both these...
, originally composed between 1980 and 1984, revised and expanded in 1993, and expanded again in 2005 with the additional movement, Ciaccona. It is so named as a 'Polish' Requiem because the several parts are dedicated to both the heroes and victims of Polish history. The work follows the liturgical Latin of the Requiem format, incorporating the traditional Polish hymn, Święty Boże.
The Polish Requiem is one of the best known works of Penderecki's later period.
History
During 1980, Penderecki was commissioned by the Polish trade union Solidarity to compose a piece to accompany the unveiling of a statue at the Gdańsk shipyards to commemorate those killed in the Polish anti-government riotsPolish 1970 protests
The Polish 1970 protests were protests that occurred in northern Poland in December 1970. The protests were sparked by a sudden increase of prices of food and other everyday items...
in 1970. Penderecki responded with the Lacrimosa, dedicated to Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa is a Polish politician, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist. A charismatic leader, he co-founded Solidarity , the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland between 1990 and 95.Wałęsa was an electrician...
, which he later expanded into this requiem, writing other parts in honour of different patriotic events. The Agnus Dei was composed in 1981 in memory of his friend, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. The Recordare was written in 1982 for the beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
of the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Maximilian Kolbe
Maximilian Kolbe
Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe OFM Conv was a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, who volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Nazi German concentration camp of Auschwitz, located in German-occupied Poland during World War II.He was canonized on 10 October 1982 by Pope John Paul II, and...
who had died in the Auschwitz concentration camp
Auschwitz concentration camp
Concentration camp Auschwitz was a network of Nazi concentration and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II...
. The Dies irae was written in memory of the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
of August and September 1944. Libera me, Domine was written commemorating the victims of the Katyn massacre
Katyn massacre
The Katyn massacre, also known as the Katyn Forest massacre , was a mass execution of Polish nationals carried out by the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs , the Soviet secret police, in April and May 1940. The massacre was prompted by Lavrentiy Beria's proposal to execute all members of...
. A first version of the requiem was performed on 28 September 1984 by the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra
Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Stuttgart in Germany. The ensemble was founded in 1945 by American occupation authorities as the orchestra for Radio Stuttgart, under the name Sinfonieorchester von Radio Stuttgart...
under the direction of Mstislav Rostropovitch.
In 1993 the Sanctus was added and the revised version conducted by the composer at a Penderecki festival in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
on 11 November 1993. The composer remarked in 1998, speaking about the work's historical and patriotic significance: "I don't write political music. Political music is immediately obsolete. My Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima
Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima
Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima is a musical composition for 52 string instruments, composed in 1960 by Krzysztof Penderecki , which took third prize at the Grzegorz Fitelberg Composers' Competition in Katowice in 1960...
remains important because it is abstract music. The Requiem is dedicated to certain people and events, but the music has a broader significance."
In 2005 the composer added another movement in memory of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, Ciaccona in memoria Giovanni Paolo II per archi (for strings). The completed Requiem was first performed in the composer's hometown Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
in 2005.
Instrumentation, words and structure
Polish Requiem is scored for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass soloists, mixed choirs, and full orchestra. It is composed of seventeen movements, the duration is given by the publisher SchottSchott Music
Schott Music is one of the oldest German music publishers. It is also one of the largest music publishing houses in Europe and is currently the second oldest music publishing house. The company headquarters of Schott Music was founded by Bernhard Schott in Mainz, Germany in 1770.Established in...
as 108 minutes. The additional ciaccona
Chaconne
A chaconne ; is a type of musical composition popular in the baroque era when it was much used as a vehicle for variation on a repeated short harmonic progression, often involving a fairly short repetitive bass-line which offered a compositional outline for variation, decoration, figuration and...
is set for string orchestra and has also been published, performed and recorded separately.
The name of the work is similar to A German Requiem, composed of sections from the bible in German. But Penderecki followed the liturgical Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
of the Requiem (Mass for the deceased) and expanded it by the Trisagion
Trisagion
The Trisagion , sometimes called by its opening line Agios O Theos or by the Latin Tersanctus, is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches and Catholic Churches.In those Churches which use the Byzantine Rite, the Trisagion is chanted...
in Polish, Święty Boże, a "supplication sung in Poland in moments of danger" that appears in a separate movement (Offertorium) and also in the Recordare. Penderecki changed the order slightly by moving Communion closer to the end and creating a Finale.
- I Introitus – choir
- II Kyrie – soloists, choir
- Sequence Dies iraeDies IraeDies Irae is a thirteenth century Latin hymn thought to be written by Thomas of Celano . It is a medieval Latin poem characterized by its accentual stress and its rhymed lines. The metre is trochaic...
- III Dies irae – choir
- IV Tuba mirum – tenor
- V Mors stupedit – mezzo-soprano
- VI Quid sum miser
- VII Rex tremendae – bass, choir
- VIII Recordare Jesu pie – music from Święty Boże, all soloists
- IX Ingemisco tanquam reus – soloists, choir
- X Lacrimosa – soprano, female choir
- XI SanctusSanctusThe Sanctus is a hymn from Christian liturgy, forming part of the Order of Mass. In Western Christianity, the Sanctus is sung as the final words of the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer, the prayer of consecration of the bread and wine...
– mezzo-soprano, choir, Benedictus – tenor, choir - XII Ciaccona
- XIII Agnus Dei – choir a cappella
- XIV Communion Lux aeterna – choir
- XV Libera me, Domine – soprano, soloists, choir
- XVI Offertorium Święty Boże, święty mocny
- XVII Finale Libera animas – soloists, choir
Oratorian music theatre
Regina Chłopicka, the author of studies on Penderecki's music, wrote about his work in relation to earlier funeral masses: "He reaches out for a number of traditional elements, yet transforms them, builds a new hierarchy and subjugates grand dramatic forms of a monumental, theatrical character to his own, original concept. The Polish Requiem could be called a dramatic oratorio or an oratorian music theatre whose main subject is man’s attitude to death. Instead of God, however, this theatre puts man in the centre rather than God, and focuses on his vacillation between hope and doubt and faith and despair and his pursuit of universal values and of the sense of existence. The oratorian music theatre of the 'Polish Requiem' is staged within four main dimensions, four zones of symbolic meanings. The first of them is offered by the music theatre of horror invoked by the vision of the Last Judgment and from the sequence 'Dies irae' and the responsorium 'Libera me'. The second one is born out of references to communal rituals of prayer which form a kind of a mystery theatre. The third sphere expresses the feelings and emotions of a man analyzing his living, while the fourth one - which could be termed the "Polish' zone" - shows Penderecki's ties with the 'here and now', the man’s rooting in the history of his time".Premieres
- Partial premiere (8 movements): 23 November 1983, Washington, D. C., National Symphony Orchestra, soloists, choir, conductor Mstislav Rostropovich.
- Premiere: 28 September 1984, StuttgartStuttgartStuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Choir of the Staatsoper StuttgartStaatsoper StuttgartThe Staatsoper Stuttgart is a German opera company based in Stuttgart, Germany.-History:The Stuttgart Staatsoper forms part of the Stuttgart State Theatre , which is a a three-branch-theatre complex and represents the largest theatre of its kind in Europe...
and Südfunk-Chor, Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Doris SoffelDoris SoffelDoris Soffel is a German mezzo-soprano.Doris Soffel first played the violin, then switched to singing at the Munich Conservatory. She was member of the Stuttgart Opera ensemble from 1973 to 1982. Her international breakthrough was as Sesto in Mozart's La clemenza di Tito at the Royal Opera House,...
, Ryszard Karczykowski, Stafford DeanStafford DeanStafford Dean is a British bass opera singer.Stafford Dean was born in Kingswood, Surrey, England. He studied under Howell Glynne and others....
, conductor Mstislaw Rostropowitsch - Premiere of the revised version: 11 November 1993, StockholmStockholmStockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Penderecki Festival 1993, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Stockholm Philharmonic OrchestraThe Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra is a Swedish orchestra based in Stockholm.The orchestra was founded in 1902 as the Stockholm Concert Society . The orchestra became a permanent ensemble in 1914. Since 1926, it has been based in the Stockholm Concert Hall...
and Chorus, Katarina DalaymanKatarina DalaymanKatarina Dalayman, born January 25, 1963 in Stockholm, is a Swedish soprano who has found critical acclaim singing major operatic roles by composers such as Wagner, Berg, Shostakovich and Bartók, among others...
, Brigitta Svendén, Zachos Terzakis, Kurt RydlKurt Rydl-Biography:Kurt Rydl, who is nicknamed "The Bass" and "The Mega Bass", studied at the Vienna Academy of Music and in Moscow Conservatory. He has won many prizes at several competitions. Kurt Rydl is a guest on all major festivals in Bayreuth, Schwetzingen, Salzburg, Bregenz, Florence, Verona,...
, conductor Krzysztof Penderecki - Premiere of the final version: 13 November 2005, KrakówKrakówKraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, SS. Peter and Pauls's Church, Polish Music Festival 2005, Sinfonia Varsovia, Kraków Philharmonic Choir, conductor Tadeusz Strugala
Recordings
- Polish Requiem, Jadwiga Godulanka (soprano), Jadwiga Rappé (mezzo-soprano), Henryk Grychoniak (tenor), Carlo Zardo (bass), Polish Radio and Television Choir, Cracow Philharmonic Choir, Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Henryk CzyzHenryk CzyzHenryk Czyz was a Polish musician with a high reputation for conducting and teaching.He was born in Grudziądz. He was also a composer in his own right and wrote a number of books which are highly regarded...
(1985) - 'Polish Requiem, Ingrid Haubold (soprano), Grazyna Winogrodska (mezzo-soprano), Zachos Terzakis (tenor), Malcolm Smith (bass), NDR-Chor, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, NDR-Sinfonieorchester. conductor Krzysztof PendereckiKrzysztof PendereckiKrzysztof Penderecki , born November 23, 1933 in Dębica) is a Polish composer and conductor. His 1960 avant-garde Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima for string orchestra brought him to international attention, and this success was followed by acclaim for his choral St. Luke Passion. Both these...
(1990) - 'A Polish Requiem, Jadwiga Gadulanka (soprano), Jadwiga Rappé (mezzo-soprano), Zachos Terzakis (tenor), Piotr Nowacki (bass), Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Chorus & OrchestraRoyal Stockholm Philharmonic OrchestraThe Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra is a Swedish orchestra based in Stockholm.The orchestra was founded in 1902 as the Stockholm Concert Society . The orchestra became a permanent ensemble in 1914. Since 1926, it has been based in the Stockholm Concert Hall...
, conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki, ChandosChandos RecordsChandos Records is an independent classical music recording company based in Colchester, Essex, in the United Kingdom, founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.- Background :...
(1995) - A Polish Requiem, Izabela Klosinska, Jadwiga Rappé, Ryszard Minkiewicz, Piotr Nowacki, Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Antoni WitAntoni WitAntoni Wit is a Polish conductor. He is the present musical director of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.Wit graduated from Kraków's State Higher School of Music, studying conducting under Henryk Czyz and composition under Krzysztof Penderecki, going on to study under Nadia Boulanger in...
, NaxosNaxos RecordsNaxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
(2004)
Performances and recordings of Ciaccona
- Premiere: 17 September 2005 WroclawWroclawWrocław , situated on the River Oder , is the main city of southwestern Poland.Wrocław was the historical capital of Silesia and is today the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been part of either Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, or Germany, but since 1945...
, St. Mary Magdalene, Wratislavia CantansWratislavia CantansWratislavia Cantans, also referred to as the International Festival of Oratorio and Cantata Music, is held every September in Wrocław...
2005, Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra Katowice, conductor Krzysztof Penderecki - Concert for the 75th birthday of the composer: 11 July 2008 Eberbach AbbeyEberbach AbbeyEberbach Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery near Eltville am Rhein in the Rheingau, Germany. On account of its impressive Romanesque and early Gothic buildings it is considered one of the most significant architectural heritage sites in Hesse, Germany...
, Rheingau Musik FestivalRheingau Musik FestivalThe Rheingau Musik Festival is an international summer music festival in Germany, founded in 1987. It is mostly for classical music, but includes other genres...
, Sinfonietta Cracovia, conductor Krzysztof Penderecki - 22 May 2009 Seoul Arts CenterSeoul Arts CenterThe Seoul Arts Center, literally the Hall of Arts, is a cultural center in Seocho-gu, the southern area of Seoul, South Korea.Measuring in 12,0350 m², it consists of many different halls and centers for many diverse art forms. It began construction in 1984, and opened all its doors in 1993...
, Seoul International Music Festival, Opening concert Beyond Ideology, Korean Chamber Orchestra - recording Music for Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, conductor Krzystof Penderecki, Dux Recording (2009)
Agnus Dei for Celli
Penderecki arranged the Agnus Dei for eight cellos, first performed in the memorial service for Mstislav Rostropovich on 3 October 2007, in St. John's Church in KronbergKronberg im Taunus
Kronberg im Taunus is a town in the Hochtaunuskreis district, Hesse, Germany. Before 1866, it was in the Duchy of Nassau; in that year the whole Duchy was absorbed into Prussia. Kronberg lies at the foot of the Taunus, flanked in the north and southwest by forests...
(Germany) by teachers and students of the Kronberg Academy
Kronberg Academy
Kronberg Academy is an international cultural institution based in Kronberg im Taunus, Germany, for the education and support of highly gifted young violinists, violists and especially cellists. Studies are supported by a biennial Cello Festival and the International Pablo Casals Cello Competition...
, conducted by Frans Helmerson.
Further reading
- Chłopicka, Regina. 1985. "Polskie Requiem". Ruch Muzyczny 29, no. 19 (September): 3–4.
- Revers, Peter. 2001. "'Venit dies magnus irae ipsorum': Zur Vision der Apokalypse in Krzysztof Pedereckis Dies irae und Polnisches Requiem". In Apokalypse: Symposion 1999, edited by Carmen Ottner, 281–95. Studien zu Franz Schmidt 13. Vienna: Doblinger. ISBN 3-900695-54-7.
- Schuler, Manfred. 1992. "Pendereckis Hommage an Mozart". Die Musikforschung 45, no. 3:279–82.
External links
- Polnisches Requiem on the Schott website: Instrumentation, Content, Performances, Past Performances