Świder, Józef (1930-2014)
Polonez (2:30) 1988 Publisher: PWM (c2018)
Instrumentation: oboe, clarinet, bassoon
This one movement miniature is an arrangement of Świder’s “Polonez” that he wrote in 1988 for mixed a-capella choir. The Polonez is a national Polish dance with centuries of tradition. It has been used as an official functional composition, and an artistic form. The melody is predominantly in oboe and is very graceful, little dissonant, easily played together, and well liked by audiences. The work is also suitable for young players, and it will work well for high school instrumentalists.
Grade: III
Recordings: none
Sheet music source: pwm.com.pl
Józef Świder
Born in Czechowice on August 19, 1930 and died in Katowice on May 22, 2014.
He was a composer, theorist and pianist. He received numerous degrees from PWSM in Katowice. In 1953 he received a degree in music theory, in 1954 a degree in piano and in 1954 a degree in composition. He continued his education with postgraduate studies with B. Woytowicz in Kraków. In 1953 he began his educational career and begun teaching at the Music Conservatory in Bielsko-Biała and at the Music Conservatory in Katowice where he stayed as a professor until 2006. 1966 he received a scholarship to study at the Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome with Goffredo Petrassi. From 1984-2012 he was a professor of the postgraduate course for choir directors and the Music Academy of Bydgoszcz. From 1968-1975 he was the Artistic Director of Silesian branch of the Polish Union of Choirs and Orchestras.
Świder’s compositional output is predominantly choral music (200 pieces), three operas, oratorios, chamber works, and concertos for solo instrument with an orchestra, and for multiple instruments with an orchestra. His compositional output is characterized by use of traditional compositional tools and forms. His works have strong emotional qualities, and stylistic elements of new Romanticism.