Małecki, Maciej (1940- )
Four Stories / Cztery Opowieści (12:00) 2020 Publisher: unpublished
I. Adventures/Przygody
II. Pranks/Figle
III. Meditations/Medytacje
IV. Dance/Taniec
Instrumentation: oboe, clarinet, bassoon
Four Stories was commissioned and written for Sonora Winds, a Minnesota based trio. The work is written in neoclassical style and it presents traditional writing with major-minor oscillations, diminution, imitation and traditional formal structure. It is also light, full of color and texture changes which are very characteristic of neoclassical compositions written by the composer. As writing for only three instruments is challenging, the composer handles the challenges well and creates a very balanced work with even distribution of musical material between the instruments. The first movement starts with a beautiful folk-like melody, setting a tone for the whole piece, which employs traditional Polish elements. The second and fourth movements draws rhythmical inspiration on traditional Polish dances: “Krakowiak” and “Oberek”, respectively.
While the work is often technically challenging, the most challenging is the fast tempos in the second and fourth movements. In the second movement, the performers will encounter (for the most part) staccato eight notes at quarter equal 186. The third movement will challenge the players to fast eight notes played in rhythmical unison at dotted half-note equals 86. The bassoon’s part has an added challenge of playing that part in the highest register. Aside from these challenges, the ranges of instruments are kept in relatively comfortable registers with occasional very low notes in the oboe.
Grade: V
Recordings: none
Sheet music source: composer, Sonora Winds has exclusive rights to performance and recording until 2023, however, has permission to share the music with interested groups
Maciej Małecki
Born on November 27 in Warsaw.
He is a composer and pianist. His principal composition teacher was K. Sikorski. In 1965, he was awarded two distinction degrees in composition and piano. Between 1967-1968, he received a Kościuszko Foundation scholarship to study at the Estamn School of Music in Rochester, New York. For several years, he performed in a piano duo with pianist J. Derfel. In the 1970s, he mainly composed music for radio, TV, theater, and film.
In 1982, he received an honorable mention at the Karol Szymanowski composition competition. Between 1991-93 he was vice-president, and between 1993-99 the president of Polish Composer’s Union. His output includes stage works, orchestral, vocal, chamber, and solo works, as well as music for theater, film, and radio. His music is rooted in 20th century traditions such as Neoclassicism and Constructivism. Małecki also uses chromatic and dodecaphonic language that is pitched centered. Some of Małecki’s compositions can even be classified as having romantic characteristics. Cheerfulness, lightness and joy are words that can also sum up his compositions.