Symphony artistic output of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki

Abstract

Henryk Mikołaj Górecki is the only musician among eleven PH.D honoris causa granted by University of Kazimierz Wielki. this fact was the reason for presenting this figure and his selected symphony compositions. H.M. Górecki was born in Czernica on 6th December 1933. In 1952 he started his music education in Music High School in Rybnik. After graduating from this school he started the studies at the faculty of composing at the National Music Academy in Katowice in the class of prof. Bolesław Szabelski. Already during his studies in 1958, prof. Szabelski organized for the first time in the history of the Academy a composing concert for Górecki – a gifted student of the 3rd year of studies. Górecki graduated from his studies with the highest marks in 1960. the first compositions of Górecki created during his studies were characterized by high level of originality. Among his rich symphonic artistic output, the author of the article selected the following works: 1st Symphony, Scontri (Clashes), 2nd „Copernicus Symphony”, 3rd Symphony „Symphony of pitiful songs”. the author also presents the history of preparation of the last composition of Górecki – 4th Symphony – finished from the sketches left by the author by the composer’s son Mikołaj. the author presents the formal construction of artistic pieces, their music language, applied lyrics and instruments used in the presented compositions. the author also presents the evolution which Górecki underwent along his composing path. At the first stage of his artistic works, Górecki was interested in the avant-garde. Later he was drawing from music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and folk music. Based on this materials he built his individual musical language.