Czyż, Henryk (1923-2003)
Quartet (11:00) 1949 Publisher: AA (c1979)Year: 1949
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Vivace
Instrumentation: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
The most striking aspects of this work are it’s light character, highly rhythmic fast parts, and highly melodic and improvisatory sounding slower parts. Each movement is built out of contrasting parts. In the fast movements there is a balance between the voices in both the musical interest and in difficulty. In the second movement oboe is the most predominant instrument throughout the slow part. It has a beautiful improvisatory sounding melody that is accompanied by the other voices. The whole work has surprising twists and turns right from the start. The most surprising part of the first movement is the change in tempo (the movement starts out in quarter note 146) that takes place only 14 measures into the piece. Here the tempo changes to Adagio and the beautiful duet between the flute and bassoon unfolds. The whole composition is charming, with the ever-changing color and tempo.
Technical requirements are somewhat advanced. Most concerning are the fast tempo and rhythmical accuracy in the outer movements.
Grade: IV-V
Recordings: none
Sheet music source: out of print
Henryk Czyż
Born April 16, 1923 in Grudziądz; died in Warsaw on January 16, 2003.
He was a composer, conductor and author of essays. He studied law and philosophy at the UMC in Toruń. He graduated from PWSM in Poznań with a degree in conducting and composition in 1952 where he studied composition with W. Bierdiajew and T. Szeligowski. Between 1952-53 he conducted Poznań Opera and between 1961-62 the Warsaw Opera. Between 1957-60 and 1972-74 he conducted Łódż Philharmonic and 1963-67 Kraków Philharmonic. Between 1962 and 66 he taught conducting at the PWSM in Kraków and between 1980-1995 in Warsaw.
During the years of 1971-74 he held the position of general music director in Dusseldorf. He received numerous prizes for different recordings: Grand Prix du Disque and Edison Prize for the recording of “St. Luke Passion” by K. Penderecki (1967), Grand Prix Mondial for the recordins of “Das Paradies und die Peri” by R. Schumann (1974). As a composer he established himself in Poland especially through his opera compositions.