Roman Maciejewski
Encyclopedia
Roman Maciejewski Polish composer.
Studied in Julius Stern Conservatorium in Berlin
, later with Stanisław Wiechowicz and Kazimierz Sikorski
in Poznań Conservatory, then continued with Kazimierz Sikorski
in Warsaw Conservatory. In his early years highly acclaimed by Karol Szymanowski
. In 1934 went to Paris
, to study with Nadia Boulanger
. Never returned to his native Poland
, staying in various countries abroad: France
(till 1938), United Kingdom
(1938-1939), Sweden
(1939-1951), USA (1951-1977) and again Sweden
(1977-98).
At first he composed inspired by Karol Szymanowski's
late style (Mazurkas for piano, Kurpian Songs for choir). The tragedy of World War II
, and also his very serious illness during his first stay in Sweden
, caused a deep change in composer's personality, that has greatly affected his music. From then on he devoted his life to creation of his opus magnum: a great funeral mass dedicated to the victims of wars, crimes and tyranny of all times. Thus during the years of 1945-1959 Missa pro defunctis. Requiem was completed. The premiere of the work took place in 1960 in Warsaw
, during the 4th Warsaw Autumn
music festival.
Studied in Julius Stern Conservatorium in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, later with Stanisław Wiechowicz and Kazimierz Sikorski
Kazimierz Sikorski
Kazimierz Sikorski was a Polish composer.-Biography:Sikorski studied in Warsaw, first music at the Warsaw Conservatory and then philosophy at the University of Warsaw. He then studied in Lwów, which was Polish at the time, and Paris. In 1926, he became a teacher of composition at the Conservatory...
in Poznań Conservatory, then continued with Kazimierz Sikorski
Kazimierz Sikorski
Kazimierz Sikorski was a Polish composer.-Biography:Sikorski studied in Warsaw, first music at the Warsaw Conservatory and then philosophy at the University of Warsaw. He then studied in Lwów, which was Polish at the time, and Paris. In 1926, he became a teacher of composition at the Conservatory...
in Warsaw Conservatory. In his early years highly acclaimed by Karol Szymanowski
Karol Szymanowski
Karol Maciej Szymanowski was a Polish composer and pianist.-Life:Szymanowski was born into a wealthy land-owning Polish gentry family in Tymoszówka, then in the Russian Empire, now in Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine. He studied music privately with his father before going to Gustav Neuhaus'...
. In 1934 went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, to study with Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor and teacher who taught many composers and performers of the 20th century.From a musical family, she achieved early honours as a student at the Paris Conservatoire, but believing that her talent as a composer was inferior to that of her younger...
. Never returned to his native Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, staying in various countries abroad: France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(till 1938), United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(1938-1939), Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
(1939-1951), USA (1951-1977) and again Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
(1977-98).
At first he composed inspired by Karol Szymanowski's
Karol Szymanowski
Karol Maciej Szymanowski was a Polish composer and pianist.-Life:Szymanowski was born into a wealthy land-owning Polish gentry family in Tymoszówka, then in the Russian Empire, now in Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine. He studied music privately with his father before going to Gustav Neuhaus'...
late style (Mazurkas for piano, Kurpian Songs for choir). The tragedy of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and also his very serious illness during his first stay in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, caused a deep change in composer's personality, that has greatly affected his music. From then on he devoted his life to creation of his opus magnum: a great funeral mass dedicated to the victims of wars, crimes and tyranny of all times. Thus during the years of 1945-1959 Missa pro defunctis. Requiem was completed. The premiere of the work took place in 1960 in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, during the 4th Warsaw Autumn
Warsaw Autumn
Warsaw Autumn is the largest international Polish festival of contemporary music. Indeed, for many years, it was the only festival of its type in Central and Eastern Europe. It was founded in 1956 by two composers, Tadeusz Baird and Kazimierz Serocki, and officially established by the Head Board...
music festival.
Works
- app. 60 Mazurkas for piano
- Kurpian Songs - for choir a cappella (1929)
- The Songs of Bilitis (words by Pierre LouÿsPierre LouÿsPierre Louÿs was a French poet and writer, most renowned for lesbian and classical themes in some of his writings. He is known as a writer who "expressed pagan sensuality with stylistic perfection."-Life:...
, trans. by Leopold StaffLeopold StaffLeopold Staff was a Polish poet and one of the greatest artists of European modernism honored two times by honorary degrees . He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature...
) - for soprano & orch. (1935) - Concerto for 2 pianos (1936)
- Berceuse and Allegro concertante - for piano & orch. (1944)
- Missa pro defunctis. Requiem - for 4 solo voices, choir & orch. (1945-59)
- Nocturne - for flute, celesta & guitar (1952)
- Missa brevis - for choir & organ (1964)
- Mass of the Resurrection - for choir & organ (1966)
- also chamber, piano and other pieces; theatrical music for the plays directed by Ingmar BergmanIngmar BergmanErnst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...