Cztery preludia [Four Preludes], op. 1 (1955) – piano
- Molto agitato
- Lento-recitativo
- Allegro scherzando
- Molto allegro quasi presto
duration: c. 8 min.
date/place of composition: October-December 1955, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 30 January 1970, Katowice: Kazimierz Morski – piano
recording(s): Koch International 3-7301-2
Toccata, op. 2 (1955) – two pianos
duration: c. 3 min.
date/place of composition: December 1955, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 27 February 1958, Katowice: Bernard Biegoń, Magdalena Kubzda – pianos
recording(s): Olympia OCD 394
Trzy pieśni [Three Songs], op. 3 (1956) – medium voice, piano
- Do matki [To mother]
- Jakiż to dzwon grobowy [What was this funereal bell]
- Ptak [The Bird]
duration: c. 10 min.
date/place of composition: March 1956, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 27 February 1958, Katowice: Edward Cygan – violin, Magdalena Kubzda – piano
Variations, op. 4 (1956) – violin, piano
duration: c. 10 min.
date/place of composition: March 1956, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 27 February 1958, Katowice: Edward Cygan – violin, Magdalena Kubzda – piano
Quartettino, op. 5 (1956) – two flutes, oboe, violin
- Molto allegro
- Lento e molto espressivo
- Presto
duration: c. 8 min.
date/place of composition: March 1956, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 27 February 1958, Katowice: Edward Cygan – violin, Magdalena Kubzda – piano
Piano Sonata, op. 6 (1956) – piano
- Allegro molto, con fuoco
- Grave pesante e corale
- Allegro vivace (ma non troppo)
duration: c. 12 min.
dedication: ‘To J. R.’ [Jadwiga Rurańska]
date/place of composition: August 1956, Rydułtowy; revised: May 1984, Chochołów; November 1990, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 28 July 1984, Lerchenborg Music Days, Denmark (first mov’t only): Eugeniusz Knapik – piano
17 March 1991, Helsinki Biennale (complete): Paul Crossley – piano
recording(s): Koch International 3-7301-2
Pieśni o radości i rytmie [Songs of Joy and Rhythm], op. 7 (1956, 1960) – two pianos, chamber orchestra
a) 1956 version (withdrawn):
- Preludium and Toccata
- Recitative-etiuda [Recitative-Etude]
- Przygrywka lyriczna [Lyric Prelude]
- Mały koncert fortepianowy [Little Piano Concerto]
instrumentation: picc.1.1.1.1 – 0.1.0.0 – timp.perc(3) – cel – 2pf – 8vn
duration: c. 11.5 min.
date/place of composition: August 1956, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: 27 February 1958, Katowice: Bernard Biegoń, Karol Procner – pianos, Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, Karol Stryja – cond.
b) 1960 version:
- Marcato
- Con moto
- Non troppo
- Ritmico
instrumentation: picc.1.0.1.1 – 0.1.1.0 – timp.perc(3) – cel – 2pf – str(6.6.6.6.0)
duration: c. 14 min.
date/place of composition: December 1959 – 15 January 1960, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 8 July 1990, London: Andrew Ball, Julian Jacobson – pianos, Opus 20, Scott Stroman – cond.
recording(s): Warsaw Autumn ’94, no. 4
Sonatina in One Movement, op. 8 (1956) – violin, piano
duration: c. 2.5 min.
date/place of composition: November 1956, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: not known
Kołysanka [Lullaby], op. 9 (1956, 1980) – piano
duration: c. 4 min.
dedication: ‘To Jadwiga’
date/place of composition: 26 November 1956, Rydułtowy; revised 14 June 1980, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Z ptasiego gniazda [From the Bird’s Nest], op. 9a (1956) – piano
- Marsz [March]
- Piosenka ludowa [Folksong]
- Stara melodia [Old Melody]
- Scherzo
- Druga piosenka ludowa [Second Folksong]
- Interludium
- Bagatelle
- Drugi marsz [Second March]
- Finale a la danse
date/place of composition: November 1956, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Sonata, op. 10 (1957) – two violins
- Allegro molto
- Adagio sostenuto
- Andante con moto-Con anima a la danse
duration: c. 16.5 min.
dedication: ‘To Jadwiga Rurańska’
date/place of composition: February – March 1957, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Chester
premiere: 27 February 1958, Katowice: Edward Cygan, Henryk Gruszka – violins
recording(s):
Concerto for Five Instruments and String Quartet, op. 11 (1957)
- Sostenuto
- Dolce
- Non troppo
- Marcato, ritmico
instrumentation: fl.cl – tp – xyl – mand – str (1.1.1.1.0)
duration: c. 10.5 min.
dedication: ‘To Leon Markiewicz’
date/place of composition: 19 August – 21 September 1957, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 27 February 1958, Katowice: members of the Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, Karol Stryja – cond.
Epitafium, op. 12 (1958) – mixed choir, ensemble
- Preludium
- Chorał [Chorale]
- Antyfona [Antiphon]
- Postludium
instrumentation: picc – tp – perc(5) – vla
text(s): Julian Tuwim
duration: c. 5 min.
commission: Andrzej Markowski
dedication: ‘In memory of Julian Tuwim’
date/place of composition: 7 – 13 July 1958, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 3 October 1958, Warsaw Autumn Festival: National Philharmonic Chorus, members of the Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrzej Markowski – cond.
recording(s): Olympia OCD 385
Pięc utworów [Five Pieces], op. 13 (1959) – two pianos
duration: c. 7.5 min.
date/place of composition: January – November 1959, Rydułtowy – Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: not known
Symphony No. 1 ‘1959’, op. 14 (1959) – string orchestra, percussion
- Inwokacja [Invocation]
- Antyfona [Antiphon]
- Chorał [Chorale]
- Lauda
instrumentation: timp.perc(7) – hpd – hp – str (16.16.14.12.10)
duration: c. 20 min.
dedication: ‘To Professor Bolesław Szabelski’
date/place of composition: 5 January – 21 March 1959, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 14 September 1959, Warsaw Autumn Festival (1st, 3rd, 4th mov’ts only): Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra – Katowice, Jan Krenz – cond.
15 July 1963, Darmstadt (complete): West German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Michael Gielen – cond.
award(s): 1st Prize, UNESCO Youth Biennale: Paris, 30 September 1961
recording(s): Koch Schwann 3-1041-2
Trzy diagramy [Three Diagrams], op. 15 (1959) – flute
duration: c. 6 min.
date/place of composition: November 1959, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Chester
premiere: 21 September 1961, Warsaw Autumn Festival: Severino Gazzelloni – flute
Monologhi [Monologues], op. 16 (1960) – soprano, three instrumental groups
instrumentation: hp(2) – perc(3)
text(s): Henryk Mikołaj Górecki
duration: c. 17 min.
dedication: ‘To my wife’
date/place of composition: 14 – 29 April 1960, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 26 April 1968, West Berlin: Joan Carroll, Ensemble für neue Musik Freiburg, Arghyris Kounadis – cond.
award(s): 1st Prize, Polish Composers’ Union Young Composers’ Competition, 15 May 1960
Scontri [Zderzenia, Collisions], op. 17 (1960) – orchestra
instrumentation: 2.2picc.0.2Ebcl.bcl.2.2cbn – 4.4.3.1 – perc(8) – 2pf – 2hp – str= (30.0.12.12.8)
duration: c. 17 min.
commission: Jan Krenz
dedication: ‘To Jan Krenz’
date/place of composition: 13 May – 17 June 1960, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 21 September 1960, Warsaw Autumn Festival: Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra – Katowice, Jan Krenz – cond.
recording(s): Olympia OCD 385
Diagram IV, op. 18 (1961) – flute
duration: c. 7.5 – 10.5 min.
date/place of composition: 7 – 12 April 1961, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Genesis I: Elementi [Elements], op. 19, no. 1 (1962) – violin, viola, cello
duration: c. 13 min.
date/place of composition: 6 February – 19 March 1962, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 29 May 1962, Cracow: Henryk Gruszka – violin, Antoni Feliks – viola, Edward Wiertelosz – cello, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki – cond.
recording(s): Olympia OCD 375
Genesis II: Canti strumentali, op. 19, no. 2= (1962) – fifteen players
instrumentation: picc.fl – tp= – mand – guit – pf(4 hands) – perc(2) – str (3.0.3.0.0)
duration: c. 8 min.
date/place of composition: March – April 1962, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 16 September 1962, Warsaw Autumn Festival: members of the Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, Karol Stryja – cond.
recording(s): Olympia OCD 385
Genesis III: Monodramma, op. 19, no. 3 (1963) – soprano, ensemble
instrumentation: metal percussion (13), double bass (6)
text(s): Henryk Mikołaj Górecki
duration: c. 10 min.
date/place of composition: April 1963, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: not known
Trzy utwory w dawnym stylu [Three Pieces in Old Style] (1963) – string orchestra
duration: c. 10 min.
date/place of composition: 28 November – 23 December 1963, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 30 April 1964, Warsaw: Ensemble Con Moto ma Cantabile
recording(s): Olympia OCD 313, Polskie Nagrania PNCD 233, Schwann CD 11615, Aperto APO 86 421, Koch Schwann 3-1041-2, Conifer CDCF 246, Telarc CD 80417, Tring TRP 084
Choros I, op. 20 (1964) – string orchestra
duration: c. 18 min. (preliminary version: c. 8 min.)
date/place of composition: May 1963 (preliminary version, withdrawn); January – 8 August 1964,= Rydułtowy; revised: October – December 1964, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 22 September 1964, Warsaw Autumn Festival: Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, Karol Stryja – cond.
recording(s): Koch Schwann 3-1041-2
Refren [Refrain], op. 21 (1965) – orchestra
instrumentation: 0.4.4.4 – 4.4.4.0 – timp(3).perc(1) – str (24.0.8.8.8)
duration: c. 17 min.
commission: Centenary of the International Telecommunications Union
date/place of composition: May – June 1965, Rydułtowy
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 27 October 1965, Geneva: Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Pierre Colombo – cond.
award(s): 3rd Prize, UNESCO Rostrum, 1967, Paris
recording(s): Olympia OCD 385
Muzyczka 1 [Musiquette 1], op. 22 (1967) – two trumpets, guitar
duration: c. 11 min.
dedication: ‘To dear Bolesław Szabelski on his 70th birthday’
date/place of composition: 24 April – 9 July 1967, Katowice
publisher(s): withdrawn
premiere: not known
Muzyczka 2 [Musiquette 2], op. 23 (1967) – ensemble
instrumentation: four tpts, four tbns, two pfs, percussion (5)
duration: c. 7.5 min.
dedication: ‘To Andrzej Markowski’
date/place of composition: 12 – 29 July 1967, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 23 September 1967, Warsaw Autumn Festival: members of l’Orchestre Philharmonique de l’ORTF, Andrzej Markowski – cond.
Muzyczka 3 [Musiquette 3], op. 25 (1967) – violas (3, or multiples)
duration: c. 14 min.
dedication: ‘To Anna and Zygmunt Lis’
date/place of composition: 3 – 10 October 1967, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 20 October 1967, Katowice: Jerzy Pyzik, Antoni Feliks, Pawe Rajzewicz – violas, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki – cond.
Cantata, op. 26 (1968) – organ
duration: c. 13 min.
date/place of composition: 6 – 27 May 1968, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Chester
premiere: 18 July 1969, Kamień Pomorski: Romuald Sroczyński – organ
award(s): 1st Prize, Szczeciń Composers’ Competition, 1968
recording(s): Kontrapunkt 32223
Muzyka staropolska [Old Polish Music], op. 24 (1969) – brass, strings
instrumentation: 5.4.4.0 – str(min. – 8.8.8.8.8)
duration: c. 23 min.
dedication: ‘To Mr. Tadeusz Szarewski’
date/place of composition: August 1967, April – May 1969, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 24 September 1969, Warsaw Autumn Festival: National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Andrzej Markowski – cond.
recording(s): Olympia OCD 385, Argo 436 835-2
Canticum graduum, op. 27 (1969) – orchestra
instrumentation: 4.0.4.4sax.4 – 8.4.4.0 – str(24.0.8.8.8)
duration: c. 12 min.
commission: West German Radio
dedication: ‘To Otto Tomek’
date/place of composition: 11 October – 3 November 1969, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 11 December 1969, Düsseldorf: West German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Michael Gielen – cond.
Muzyczka 4, ‘Koncert puzonowy’ [Musiquette 4, ‘Trombone Concerto’], op. 28 (1970) – trombone, clarinet, cello, piano
duration: c. 9 min.
commission: Warsztat Muzyczny (Music Workshop)
date/place of composition: 11 – 19 March 1970, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 15 April 1970, Vienna: Music Workshop (Edward Borowiak – trombone)
Do matki (Ad matrem), op. 29 (1971) – soprano, mixed choir, orchestra
instrumentation: 4.4.4.4 – 4.4.4.0 – timp(2).perc(2) – hp – pf – str
text(s): Henryk Mikołaj Górecki (from Stabat mater)
duration: c. 10-11 min.
dedication: ‘In memory of my mother’
date/place of composition: 1 – 5 June 1971, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 24 September 1972, Warsaw Autumn Festival: Stefania Woytowicz – soprano, National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Andrzej Markowski – cond.
award(s): 1st Prize, UNESCO Rostrum, Paris, 1973
recording(s): Polskie Nagrania PNCD 233
Dwie pieśni sakralne [Two Sacred Songs], op. 30a (1971) – baritone, piano
- Lento sostenuto
- Maestoso
text(s): Marek Skwarnicki – ‘Offertorium’, ‘Introit’
duration: c. 5 min.
dedication: ‘To my wife Jadwiga’
date/place of composition: 5 – 12 July 1971, Witów
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Chester
premiere: not known
Dwie pieśni sakralne [Two Sacred Songs], op. 30b (1971) – baritone, orchestra
instrumentation: 0.0.4.4 – 4.4.4.1 – str
date/place of composition: July – September 1971, Witów
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Chester
premiere: 6 April 1976, Poznań Musical Spring Festival: Jerzy Artysz – baritone, Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra – Cracow, Jacek Kasprzyk – cond.
Symphony No. 2, ‘Kopernikowska’ [‘Copernican’], op. 31 (1972) – soprano, baritone, mixed choir, orchestra
instrumentation: 4.4.4.4 – 4.4.4.1 – timp(3).perc(3) – hp – pf(4 hands) – str(36.0.12.12.12)
text(s): Psalm 145/146 (v. 6), Psalm 135/136 (vv. 7-9), Nicolaus Copernicus, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, book i (excerpt)
duration: c. 37 min.
commission: Kościuszko Foundation, New York
dedication: ‘To the Kościuszko Foundation’
date/place of composition: April – December 1972, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 22 June 1973, Warsaw: Stefania Woytowicz – soprano, Andrzej Hiolski – baritone, National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Andrzej Markowski – cond.
recording(s): Stradivarius STR 33324
Euntes ibant et flebant [They who go forth and weep], op. 32 (1972) – mixed choir
text(s): Psalms 125/126 (v. 6), 94/95 (v. 6)
duration: c. 9 min.
date/place of composition: 13 August 1972, Katowice; December 1973, Berlin
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 31 August 1975, Wratislavia Cantans Festival, Wrocław: National Philharmonic Chorus, Andrzej Markowski – cond.
recording(s): Polskie Nagrania ECD 036, Proudsound PROU CD 136, Elektra Nonesuch 79348-21
Dwie piosenki [Two Little Songs], op. 33 (1972) – choir (four equal voices)
- Rok i bieda [The year and hardship]
- Ptasie plotki [Bird gossip]
text(s): Julian Tuwim
duration: c. 4.5 min.
dedication: ‘To dear Anusia’
date/place of composition: 1. 29 December 1972; 2. 31 December 1972, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: not known
Trzy tańce [Three Dances], op. 34 (1973) – orchestra
- Presto, marcatissimo
- Andante cantabile
- Presto
instrumentation: 2.2.2.2 – 3.4.3.1 – timp(2) – str
duration: c. 12 min.
commission: Rybnik Philharmonic Orchestra
dedication: ‘To Antoni Szafranek and the Rybnik Philharmonic’
date/place of composition: June – July 1973, Katowice/Chochołów
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 24 November 1973, Rybnik: Rybnik Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Szafranek – cond.
recording(s): Elysium GRK 703
Amen, op. 35 (1975) – mixed choir
duration: c. 8 min.
commission: Poznań Musical Spring Festival
dedication: ‘To the 15th Poznań Musical Spring’
date/place of composition: 2 February 1975, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 5 April 1975, Poznań Musical Spring Festival: Poznań Boys’ Choir, Jerzy Kurczewski – cond.
recording(s): Olympia OCD 313, Proudsound PROU CD 136, Elektra Nonesuch 79348-21, EMI 5 55096 2
Symphony no. 3, ‘Symfonia pieśni żałosnych’ [Symphony of Sorrowful Songs], op. 36 (1976) – soprano, orchestra
- Lento, sostenuto tranquillo ma cantabile
- Lento e Largo, tranquillissimo-cantabilissimo-dolcissimo-legatissimo
- Lento, cantabile-semplice
instrumentation: 4.4.2.2 – 4.0.4.0 – ph – pf – str(16.14.12.10.8)
text(s): 1. anon., mid-15th century ‘Lament świętokrzyski’ [Holy Cross Lament], v. 4
2. Helena Wanda Błażusiakówna, graffito, 25 September 1944, Zakopane
3. anon. Opole folksong, c. 1919-1921
duration: c. 55 min.
commission: South-West German Radio, Baden-Baden
dedication: ‘To my wife’
date/place of composition: 30 October – 30 December 1976, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 4 April 1977, Royan International Festival of Contemporary Art: Stefania Woytowicz – soprano, South-West German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ernest Bour – cond.
award(s): Best-selling CD in 1993, Gramphone
Recording of the Year (1993), Classical Music Awards, London, 21 January 1994
recording(s): Olympia OCD 313, Schwann CD 11615 (Koch-Schwann SCH 361-302), Belart 437 964-2 (Erato ERA 9275), Elektra Nonesuch 9 79282-2, Vox Classics 7511 (Belart 450 148-2), Sony SMK 64078, Naxos 8.550822, Philips 442 411-2, EMI 5 55368 2, BMG/RCA Victor 68387-2 (Arte Nova BMG 74321-27779-2), Tring TRP 084, Audiophile APC 101.040
Trzy małe utworki [Three Little Pieces], op. 37 (1977) – violin, piano
- Allegro ma non tanto
- Lento, cantabile e dolce
- Animato, marcato
duration: c. 3 min.
dedication: ‘To darling Mikołaj’
date/place of composition: 27 December 1977, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 5 January 1978, Katowice: Mikołaj Górecki – violin, Jadwiga Górecki – piano
Beatus vir, op. 38 (1979) – baritone, mixed choir, orchestra
instrumentation: 4.4.4.4 – 4.4.4.4 – perc(2) – hp(2) – pf(4 hands) – str
text(s): Psalms 142/143, vv. 1, 6-8, 10; 30/31, vv. 15-16; 37/38, v. 23; 66/67, v. 7; 33/34, v. 9
duration: c. 35 min.
commission: Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, 1977
dedication: ‘To the Holy Father, John Paul II’
date/place of composition: 2 April – 19 May 1979, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 9 June 1979, Cracow: Jerzy Mechliński – baritone, Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki – cond.
recording(s): Polskie Nagrania PNCD 233, Argo 436 835-2, Stradivarius STR 33324
Szeroka woda [Broad Waters], op. 39 (1979) – mixed choir
- A ta nasza Narew [O our river Narew]
- Oj, kiedy na Powiślu [Oh, when in Powiśle]
- Oj, Janie, Janie [Oh, Johnny, Johnny]
- Polne róże rwała [She was picking wild roses]
- Szeroka woda [Broad waters]
texts and melodies: trad. 1., 2., 5. from Jadwiga Gorzechowska, Szeroka woda (Warsaw, 1967); 3., 4. from Jadwiga Gorzechowska & Maria Kaczurbina,
Jak to dawniej na kurpiach bywało (Warsaw, 1969)
duration: c. 16 min.
dedication: ‘To Cracow friends’
date/place of composition: 2 – 11 December 1979, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 28 April 1987, Poznań Musical Spring Festival: Schola Cantorum Gedanensis, Jan Łukaszewski – cond.
recording(s): Elektra Nonesuch 79348-21
Koncert na klawesyn – lub fortepian – e orkiestrę smyczkową[Concerto for Harpsichord – or Piano – and String Orchestra], op. 40 (1980)
- Allegro molto
- Vivace, marcatissimo
instrumentation: strings(hpd: 6.6.4.4.2; pf: 8.8.6.6.4)
duration: c. 9 min.
commission: Polish Radio and Television
dedication: ‘To Elżbieta Chojnacka’
date/place of composition: 7 – 29 January 1980, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 2 March 1980, Katowice (harpsichord version): Elżbieta Chojnacka – harpsichord, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra – Katowice, Stanisław Wisłocki – cond.
22 April 1990, Poznań Musical Spring Festival (piano version): Jarosław Siwiński – piano, Poznań Music Academy Symphony Orchestra, Marcin Sompoliński – cond.
recording(s): Adda 581233, Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79362-2, Conifer CDCF 246, MQT 4003, Erato WE 810, Chandos CHAN-9590
Mazurki [Mazurkas], op. 41 (1980) – piano
date/place of composition: 28 – 31 May 1980, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished (incomplete)
Dwie pieśni [Two Songs], op. 42 (1980) – medium voice, piano
- Nokturn [Nocturne]
- Malaguena
text(s): Federico Garc/ia Lorca, tr. Mikołaj Bieszczadowski
date/place of composition: 1. January 1956, Rydułtowy, revised 14 June 1980; 2. 23 June 1980,= Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Błogosławione pieśni malinowe [Blessed Raspberry Songs], op. 43 (1980) – voice, piano
- Błogosławione pieśni malinowe
- Co ranek, skoro ustępują cienie [Each morning, when the shadows recede]
- Litość [Compassion]
- O! Boże . . . jeden, który JESTEŚ [Oh, God . . . the one who IS]
text(s): Cyprian Kamil Norwid (1821-1883)
duration: c. 20 min.
date/place of composition: 29 October – 22 December 1980, Chochołów/Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Miserere, op. 44 (1981) – mixed choir
text(s): Domine Deus noster, MISERERE NOBIS
duration: c. 35-37 min.
dedication: ‘I dedicate this to Bydgoszcz’
date/place of composition: 23 February – 27 June 1981, Katowice/Chochołów; 3 January – 6 April 1987, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 10 September 1987, Bydgoszcz Music Festival, Włocławek: Cracow Philharmonic Chorus, Bydgoszcz Arion Choir, Stanisław Krawczyński – cond.
recording(s): Elektra Nonesuch 79348-21, Caprice CAP 21515, Chandos CHAN-9523
Wieczór ciemny się uniża [Dark Evening is Falling], op. 45 (1981) – five folksongs for mixed choir
- Pytają się ludzie [People are asking]
- Uwiją, wianuczki [They will make little garlands]
- Ścięli dąbek [They felled the little oak tree]
- Depce konik [The little horse paws the ground]
- Wieczór ciemny się uniż a [Dark evening is falling]
texts and melodies: trad., from Jadwiga Gorzechowska & Maria Kaczurbina, Jak to dawniej na kurpiach bywało (Warsaw, 1969)
date/place of composition: October 1981, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Wisło moja, Wisło szara [My Vistula, Grey Vistula], op. 46 (1981) – folksong for mixed choir
text and melody: trad., from Jadwiga Gorzechowska, Szeroka woda (Warsaw, 1967)
duration: c. 4 – 4.5 min.
dedication: ‘To Ms. Maria Wacholc’
date/place of composition: 29 October 1981, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 28 April 1987, Poznań Musical Spring Festival: Schola Cantorum Gedanensis, Jan łukaszewski – cond.
recording(s): Elektra Nonesuch 79348-21
Kołysanki i tańce [Lullabies and Dances], op. 47 (1982) – violin, piano
duration: c. 15 min.
dedication: ‘For Mikołaj, on his 11th birthday’
date/place of composition: 18 – 28 January 1982, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
śpiewy do słów J. Słowackiego [Songs to Words by J. Słowacki], op. 48 (1983) – voice, piano
- We łzach, Panie, ręce podnosimy do Ciebie [In tears, Lord, we raise our hands to You]
- Panie! O którym na niebosach słyszę [Lord! Of whom in the heavens I hear]
text(s): Juliusz Słowacki
duration: c. 19 min.
dedication: ‘To Andrzej Bachleda’
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: 14 September 1985, Zakopane: Andrzej Bachleda – baritone, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki – piano
Trzy Kołysanki [Three Lullabies], op. 49 (1984) – mixed choir
- Uśnijże mi, uśnij [Sleep for me, sleep]
- Kołysz-że się kołysz [Rock, rock]
- Nie piej, kurku, nie piej [Don’t crow, cock, don’t crow]
text(s): trad. 1., 3. from Hanna Kostyrko, Chodzi, chodzi Baj po ścanie (Warsaw 1958); 2. from Oskar Kolberg, Dzieło wszystkie, vol. 26: ‘Mazowsze’, no. 549.
duration: c. 10.5 min.
date/place of composition: 18 – 19 March 1984, Katowice; revised 1991
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 2 August 1991, Lechenborg Music Days: Ars Nova, Bo Holten – cond.
Ach, mój wianku lewandowy [O, my Garland of Lavender], op. 50 (1984) – seven folksongs for mixed choir
- Ach, mój wianku lewandowy
- Wędrowali trzy panienki [Three lasses were wandering]
- Taiłam się [I have kept silent]
- Bzi, bzi, bzibziana
- Chcecie wiedzieć [Do you want to know]
- Po cożeś mę, matuleńku, za mąż wydała [Why did you marry me off, mummy]
- Dajże, Boże, plonowało [Give us, God, good harvest]
texts and melodies: trad. from Oskar Kolberg, Dzieło wszystkie, vol. 39: ‘Pomorze’, nos. 22, 45, 145, 147, 219, 27, 6
date/place of composition: 6 – 11 March 1984, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Idzie chmura, pada deszcz [Cloud Comes, Rain Falls], op. 51 (1984) – five folksongs for mixed choir
- Idzie chmura, pada deszcz
- Gdzie to jedziesz, Jaszu? [Where are you going, Johnny?]
- Kiedy będzie słońce i pogoda [When it will be sunny and warm]
- Szła sierotka po wsi [An orphan girl walked through a village]
- Czas nam do domu, dziewczyno [Time for us to go home, girl]
texts and melodies: trad., from Oskar Kolberg, Dzieło wszystkie, vol. 39: ‘Pomorze’, nos. 14, 81, 48, 213, 26
date/place of composition: 12 – 16 March 1984, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
- Recitativo i mazurek [Recitative and Mazurka]
- Dwa utwory [Two Pieces]
- Trzy miniatury dodekafoniczne [Three Dodecaphonic Miniatures]
- Quasi walc [Quasi-Waltz]
dedication: 4. ‘To Władisława Markiewiczówna’
date/place of composition: 1. August 1956, Rydułtowy; 2. March 1957, Katowice; 3. October – November 1957, Katowice; 4. 26 June 1961
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Recitativa i ariosa ‘Lerchenmusik’ [Recitatives and Ariosos ‘Lerchenmusik’], op 53 (1984-86) – clarinet, cello, piano
- Lento-largo, Ben tenuto / Molto piu mosso-quasi allegro, Marcatissimo-acuto-energico-deciso e molto espressivo
- Largo, cantabile-dolce
- Andante moderato-tranquillo, cantabile
duration: c. 40 min.
commission: Countess Louise Lerche-Lerchenborg
dedication: ‘Der lieben Louise Lerche-Lerchenborg gewidmet’
date/place of composition: July 1984, Katowice / Chochołów; rev. December 1984 – January 1985, Katowice; rev. October 1985 – 22 January 1986, Katowice / Chochołów
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes/Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne
premiere: 28 July 1984, Lerchenborg Music Days, Denmark (work-in-progress): Danish Trio
25 September 1985, Warsaw Autumn Festival (complete, first revised version): Danish Trio
12 April 1986, Poznań Musical Spring Festival (complete, second revised version): Piotr Szymyślik – clarinet, Piotr Janosik – cello, Eugeniusz Knapik – piano
recording(s): Olympia OCD 343, Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79257-2, Kontrapunkt 32175, Philips 442 533-2
Pieśni Maryjne [Marian Songs], op. 54 (1985) – five Marian songs for mixed choir
- Matko niebieskiego Pana [Mother of the heavenly Lord]
- Matko Najświętsza! [Most Holy Mother!]
- Zdrowaś bądź Maria! [Hail Mary!]
- Ach, jak smutna jest rozstanie [Oh, how sad is the parting]
- Ciebie na wieki wychalać będziemy [We shall praise You for ever]
texts and melodies: trad. (except 3.), from Jan Siedlecki, Śpiewnik kościelny
date/place of composition: February 1985, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: 3 June 1985, Warsaw (3. only): Catholic Theological Academy Choir – Warsaw, Kazimierz Szymonik – cond.
recording(s): Polskie Nagrania ECD 036 (No. 3 only)
O Domina nostra. ‘Medytacje o Jasnogórskiej Pani Naszej’ [‘Meditations on Our Lady of Jasna Góra], op. 55 (1985) – soprano, organ
text(s): Henryk Mikołaj Górecki
duration: c. 33-34 min.
dedication: ‘To Stefania Woytowicz-Rudnicki’
date/place of composition: October 1982; 23 February 1985, Katowice
publisher(s): Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne/Chester
premiere: 31 March 1985, Poznań Musical Spring Festival: Stefania Woytowicz – soprano, Michał Dąbrowski – organ
recording(s): ECM 1459 437956-2, Kontrapunkt 32223
Pod Twoją ubronę [Under Your Protection], op. 56 (1985) – eight-part mixed choir
text(s): trad., from Jan Siedlecki, Śpiewnik kościelny
duration: c. 12 min.
date/place of composition: April 1985
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Na Anioł Pański biją dzwony [The bells ring out for the Angelus Domini], op. 57 (1986) – mixed choir
text(s): Kazimierz Przerwa Tetmajer (1865-1940)
duration: c. 11 min.
date/place of composition: April – May 1986
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Pieśni kościelne [Church Songs] (1986) – twenty-one songs for mixed choir
- Zdrowaś bądź Maryja [Hail Mary]
- Idżmy, tulmy się, jak dziatki [Let us go, hugging, like children]
- Szczęśliwy, kto sobie Patrona Józefa ma za opiekuna [Fortunate is he, who has St. Joseph as his protector]
- Ludu, mój ludu [People, my people]
- Witaj Pani, Matko Matki Jezusa Pana [Welcome Lady, Mother of the Mother of Lord Jesus]
- Zawitaj Pani świata [Hail, Lady of the world]
- Bądź pozdrowiony [Praise be to Thee]
- Jezu Chryste, Panie miły [Jesus Christ, good Lord]
- Dobranoc, Głowo święta [Good night, holy Head]
- O Matko miłościwa [O merciful Mother]
- Pozdrawiajmy wychwalajmy [Let us praise, let us hail]
- Święty, Święty, Święty [Holy, holy, holy]
- Tysiąc kroć bądź pozdrowiona [Be praised a thousand times] (not taken from Siedlecki)
- Krzyknijmy wszyscy [Let us shout together]
- Witaj, Jutrzenko [Hail, morning star] (incomplete)
- Wstał Pan Chrystus z martwych ninie [Lord Jesus is now risen from the dead]
- Sliczny Jezu, miły Panie [Beautiful Jesus, good Lord]
- Twoja cześć, chwała [Your glory and praise]
- Ojcze Boże wszechmogący [God the Father Almighty]
- Krzyżu Chrystusa [O cross of Christ]
- Ciebie wzywamy, Ciebie błagamy [We call on You, we beseech You] (unfinished)
texts and melodies: trad., from Jan Siedlecki, Śpiewnik kościelny
date/place of composition: May – June 1986, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: ? April 1987, Eucharistic Congress (Nos. 12, 18 only): Warsaw Music Academy Choir, Romuald Miazga – cond.
recording(s): Polskie Nagrania ECD 036 (No. 12 only)
Dla ciebie, Anne-Lill [For you, Anne-Lill], op. 58 (1986) – flute, piano
duration: c. 12 min.
commission: Louise Lerche-Lerchenborg
date/place of composition: September – October 1986, Chochołów; revised May 1990
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 4 August 1990, Lerchenborg Music Days, Denmark: Anne-Lill Ree – flute, Ellen Refstrup – piano
recording(s): Amiata ARNR 0496
Aria, ‘scena operowa’ [‘operatic scene’], op. 59 (1987) – tuba, piano, tam-tam, bass drum
duration: c. 15 min.
date/place of composition: Easter Saturday, 18 April 1987, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 28 May 1987, Aspekte Salzburg Festival: Zdzisław Piernik – tuba, Andor Losonczy – piano, Rodolf Schingerlin – percussion
Totus Tuus, op. 60 (1987) – mixed choir
duration: c. 11 min.
dedication: ‘To His Holiness Pope John Paul II on his third pilgrimage to his homeland’
date/place of composition: 3 May 1987, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 19 July 1987, Warsaw: Catholic Theological Academy Choir – Warsaw, Kazimierz Szymonik – cond.
recording(s): Argo 436 835-2, Proudsound PROU CD 129, United 88021 CD, Proudsound PROU CD 136, EMI 5 55096 2, Telarc 80406, ASV WHL 2096, RCA 09026 68255 2, EMI CD EMX 2251, Erato 0630-14634-2, Polskie Nagrania ECD 057
Przybąadż Duchu Święty [Come Holy Spirit], op. 61 (1988) – mixed choir
text(s): ‘Veni Sancte Spiritus’ sequence
duration: c. 11 min.
date/place of composition: 29 March 1988, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: 11 October 1993, Warsaw: Catholic Theological Academy Choir – Warsaw, Kazimierz Szymonik – cond.
recording(s): Polskie Nagrania ECD 036
‘Już się zmierzcha’, muzyka na kwartet smyczkowy [‘Already it is Dusk’, Music for String Quartet], String Quartet No. 1, op. 62 (1988) – string quartet
duration: c. 16 min.
commission: Doris and Myron Beigler and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, for the Kronos Quartet
dedication: ‘To the Kronos Quartet as a token of appreciation’
date/place of composition: 20 October – 30 November 1988, Chochołów / Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 21 January 1989, Minneapolis: Kronos Quartet
recording(s): Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79257-2, Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79819-2 (reissue of above recording), Olympia OCD 375
Good Night, op. 63 (1990) – soprano, alto flute, 3 tam-tams, piano
- Lento (Adagio)-Tranquillo
- Lento tranquillissimo
- Lento-largo, dolcissimo-cantabilissimo
text (3rd mov’t.): William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act V, Scene ii – ‘Good night . . . flights of angels sing thee to thy rest’
duration: c. 30 min.
dedication: ‘In memoriam Michael Vyner’
date/place of composition: 11 March – 1 June 1988, 10 – 19 February 1990, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 6 May 1990, London (3rd mov’t.): Margaret Field – soprano, members of the London Sinfonietta
4 November 1990, London (complete): Nicole Tibbels – soprano, members of the London Sinfonietta
recording(s): Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79362-2, Telarc CD 80417
Quasi una fantasia, String Quartet No. 2, op. 64 (1991) – string quartet
- Largo, Sostenuto-mesto
- Deciso-energico, Marcatissimo sempre
- Arioso: Adagio cantabile, ma molto espressivo e molto appassionato
- Allegro, sempre con grande passione e molto marcato
duration: c. 38.5 – 39 min.
commission: Beigler Trust, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the Kościuszko Foundation, for the Kronos Quartet
dedication: ‘To the Kronos Quartet – David Harrington, John Sherba, Hank Dutt, Joan Jeanrenaud’
date/place of composition: 6 December 1990 (St. Nicholas’s Day) – 19 March 1991 (St. Joseph’s Day), Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 27 October 1991, Cleveland: Kronos Quartet
recording(s): Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79819-2, Olympia OCD 375
Concerto-Cantata, op. 65 (1992) – flute/alto flute, orchestra
- Recitativo
- Arioso
- Concertino
- Arioso e Corale
instrumentation: 4.4.4.4 – 6.4.3.1 – perc(3) – hp – str(16-18.14-16.12-14.10-12.8-10)
duration: c. 22 min.
commission: Frederick S. Upton Foundation, for Carol Wincenc
dedication: ‘Carol Wincenc dedicato’
date/place of composition: 30 November 1991 – 12 January 1992, 28 July – 10 September 1992, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 28 November 1992, Amsterdam: Carol Wincenc – flute, Dutch Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Eri Klas – cond.
Kleines Requiem für eine Polka [Little Requiem for a Polka], op. 66 (1993) – piano, ensemble
- Tranquillo
- Allegro impetuoso-marcatissimo
- Allegro-deciso assai
- Largo
instrumentation: 1.1.1.1 – 1.1.1.0 – perc(1) – pf – 1.1.1.1.1
duration: c. 24 min.
commission: Holland Festival / Schönberg Ensemble
dedication: ‘Schönberg Ensemble dedicato’
date/place of composition: May 1993, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 12 June 1993, Holland Festival, Amsterdam: Schönberg Ensemble, Reinbert de Leeuw – cond.
recording(s): Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79362-2, Philips 442 533-2, Telarc CD 80417
String Quartet No. 3, op. 67 (1993->) – string quartet
commission: for the Kronos Quartet
incomplete
Three Songs of Konopnicka, op. 68 (1954/95) – voice, piano
- Przez te łąki, przez te pola [Through these meadows, across these fields]
- Kiedy Polska [When Poland]
- U okienka, u mojego [By my Little Window]
text(s): Maria Konopnicka
date/place of composition: 1., 2. 1954; 3. April 1995 (Easter), Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished?
premiere: 28 May 1995, New York (together with Two Songs, 1954-55): Andrzej Bachleda – baritone, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki – piano
Trzy fragmenty do słów Stanisława Wyspiańskiego [Three Fragments to Words by Stanisław Wyspiański], op. 69 (1996) – voice, piano
- Jakżeż ja się uspokoję [How on earth can I be at peace]
- Może z mętów się dobędzie człowieka [Perhaps from these dregs a man will emerge]
- Poezjo! – tyś to jest spolojną siestą [Poetry! – you are a calm siesta]
duration: c. 24 min.
commission: Wanda Warska
publisher(s): unpublished?
premiere: 23 February 1996, Zakopane: Wanda Warska – voice, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki – piano
Valentine Piece, op. 70 (1996) – flute, little bell
duration: c. 4.5 min.
commission: Carol Wincenc
date/place of composition: 1 February 1996, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
14 February 1996, New York: Carol Wincenc – flute
Clarinet Quintet, op. 71 (1996) – clarinet, string quartet
Sanctus Adalbertus, op. 72 (1997) – soloists, choir, orchestra
Kleine Phantasie, op. 73 (1997) – violin, piano
duration: c. 13.5 min.
commission: Foundation of Lower Saxony on the occasion of the 1997 Hannover International Violin Competition
dedication: ‘Dem Internationalem Violin-Weltbewerb “Joseph Joachim” in Hannover gewidmet’
date/place of composition: 25 June 1997, Katowice
publisher(s): Boosey & Hawkes
premiere: 12 October 1997, Hannover: imposed piece for competition’s semi-final round (12 performances)
Juvenalia (1954-55)
Terzetto quasi una fantasia – oboe, violin, piano
Additional Works (unpublished)
Kopciuszek [Cinderella] (1957) – incidental music
text: Adolf Walewski
date/place of composition: March – April 1957, Katowice
premiere: 25 May 1957, Teatr Śląski, Katowice: Mieczysław Daszewski – director
Wieża samotności [Tower of Solitude] (1959) – incidental music
text: Robert Ardrey (1939, original title: Thunder Rock)
duration: 11 min.
premiere: 10 October 1959, Teatr Śląski, Katowice: Jerzy Jarocki – director
Akwarium [Aquarium] (1959) – incidental music
text: Andrzej Wydrzyński
duration: 16 min.
premiere: unperformed (production cancelled)
Papierowa laleczka [Paper Doll] (1960) – song
text: Arthur Miller, Widok z mostu [A View from the Bridge], 1955
premiere: 18 March 1960, Teatr Śląski, Katowice: Jerzy Jarocki – director
Chorał w formie kanonu [Chorale in the form of a Canon] (1961) – string quartet
duration: c. 3 min.
commission: Tadeusz Ochlewski
date/place of composition: 21 January 1961, Rydułtowy; revised 12 May 1984 (for the 80th birthday of Goffredo Petrassi)
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: 7 February 1961, Warsaw: Ensemble Wywołanie
Wratislaviae gloria (1968) – fanfare for brass (4.4.4.1) and strings
duration: c. 2 min.
date/place of composition: 19 September 1968, Katowice?
publisher(s): unpublished?
premiere: 12 February 1969, Wrocław Festival of Polish Contemporary Music: Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrzej Markowski – cond.
Jędrek [Little Andy] (1969) – film score
director: Jadwiga Kękzierzawska
duration: c. 11 min.
premiere: not known
Dwa hejnały [Two Bugle-Calls] (1976) – winds
instrumentation: 8.0.0.0 – 8.11.6.2
duration: c. 1 min.
commission: World Ice Hockey Championships, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known
Intermezzo (1990) – piano
duration: c. 2.5 min.
commission: Louise Lerche-Lerchenborg
dedication: ‘Andenken an Poul Rovsing Olsen’
date/place of composition: 23 April 1990, Katowice
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: 3 August 1990, Lerchenborg Music Days, Denmark: Rosalind Bevan – piano
Intermezzo (1997) – piano
duration: c. 2.5 min.
dedication: ‘To Wanda and Stefan Wilk’
date/place of composition: October 1997, Los Angeles
publisher(s): unpublished
premiere: not known