Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj (1933- )

Polish composer. His study with Olivier Messiaen and exposure to avant-garde influences after 1956 led him to abandon a politically correct neoclassical style and seek out new sonorities. He later adopted a slow-moving tonal idiom appealing to revived religious tradition, often on tragic themes from Polish history, as in Old Polish Music for orchestra (1969), and his third symphony, Sorrowful Songs (1976), which propelled him to fame in the West in 1992.

He studied with Bolesław Szabelski at Katowice Conservatory 1955-60. He joined the faculty there in 1968 and was provost until 1979.

Works Orchestral, some with chorus and/or voices Symphony no. 1 (1959), No. 2 for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra (1972), and No. 3 for soprano and orchestra (1973); Scontri for orchestra (1960); Canticum Graduum for orchestra (1969); Old Polish Music for brass and strings (1969); Beatus Vir for baritone, chorus, and orchestra (1979); harpsichord concerto (1980); Concerto-Cantata for flute and orchestra (1992); Genesis III: Monodrama (1963); Two Sacred Songs for baritone and orchestra (1971).

Choral cantata Epitafium; Epitaph for mixed chorus and instruments (1956).

Chamber Quartettino for wind (1956); sonata for two violins (1957); series Genesis I-IV for various instrumental groups (1962-70); Aria for tuba and ensemble (1987); Already it is Dusk (string quartet no. 1, 1988); Quasi una fantasia for string quartet (1991); Kleines Requiem für eine Polka for piano and 13 instruments (1993).