Chmielarz, Bernard (1958- )
Castle Epigram/Zamkowa Fraszka (3:53) 2002 Publisher: not publishedYear: 2002
Instrumentation: flute, oboe, bassoon, harpsichord
The work has been written for and dedicated to Polish Chamber Players “Pro Musica Antiqua.” It is mentioned on Pro Musica’s CD cover that “the piece is a deliberate evocation of the atmosphere of old castle interiors, and it is no coincidence that it rounds off the program of this concert held in the period interiors of Olsztyn Castle”. The composition is built on the traditional technique of motivic development as well as the traditional form of ABA. The section A starts with the harpsichord playing repeated chordal material followed by a motivic melody in the woodwinds. The melody is very gracefully divided among all the woodwind instruments with extensive doubling in the oboe and bassoon. The flute, at this point, presents the more ornamented and improvisatory-like melody line. Section A ends with a short pause followed by a solo harpsichord that opens section B. Here, the harpsichord plays repeated rhythmic and melodic motives, and is joined by the other instruments in creating melodic and harmonic progression. This material treatment resembles works of Vivaldi and his contemporaries.
The composition is marked in the brisk tempo of quarter=144. Thus the sixteenth note runs and quick triplets in the flute can present some degree of difficulty.
Grade: IV
Recordings: European Music in Historical Sites in Warmia and Mazury, Pro Musica Antiqua, DUX 0495
Sheet music source: received the music from the composer
Bernard Chmielarz
Born on March 1, 1958 in Warsaw is a composer, arranger, conductor and instrumentalist.
He graduated from F. Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw (currently F. Chopin Music University). Between 1985-6 he was a member of bass section at the Polish Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra, and between 1986-2007 he was a member of bass section in the Polish National Symphony Orchestra in Warsaw. He was a guest conductor for Polish Theater, Modern Theater, Anteneum Theater and Polish National Theater.
In 2005, together with J. Kęcik and W. Malicki he started the work on TV program titled “ What is played here?” which two years later became “Philharmonic of Musical Joke” and has been shown regularly on Polish TV ever since. Chmielarz is the musical director, conductor, arranger and composer for the production of the “Philharmonic of Musical Joke”. The “Philharmonic of Musical Joke” concerts have been also presented at International “Fringe” Festival in Scotland in 2014 and during a tour of China in 2017. Chmielarz arranged the music of Villa-Lobos that can be heard on the recording of the Academy of Saint Martin of the Fields under the baton of Josè Maria Florencio titled “Melodia Sentimental”. He also arranged pieces by Astor Piazzolla that can be heard on the recording titled “Astor” recorded by Sinfoina Varsovia in 2016. During is artistic output he composed numerous orchestral compositions as well as chamber works.