Bogustawski, Edward

Bogustawski, Edward, Polish composer and pedagogue; b. Chorzów, Silesia, Sept. 22, 1940. He received training in theory (1959-64; degree, 1964) and composition (with Bolestaw Szabelski, 1961-66; graduated, 1966) at the State Higher School of Music in Katowice, and then completed his studies with Haubenstock-Ramati in Vienna (1967). In 1963 he joined the faculty of the State Higher School of Music in Katowice, where he was dean of the faculty of music education (1971–72), dean of the faculty of composition, conducting, and theory (1971-75; 1990-96), and a prof, (from 1983). From 1984 he also was head of the faculty of theory and music teaching at the Higher School of Pedagogy in Czestochowa. In 1966 he won first prize in the Malawski Composers’ Competition in Kraków, and in 1975 first prize in the National Composers’ Competition. He also received the Minister of Culture and Arts Award twice.

Works

Dramatic: Sonata Belzebuba (Beelzebub’s Sonata), chamber opera (1976-77; Wroclaw, Nov. 19, 1977); Gra snów (The Game of Dreams), musical drama (1985). orch.:Sygnaly (Signals; 1965-66; Warsaw, June 3, 1966); Intonazioni II (1966; Paris, Nov. 15, 1967); Concerto for Oboe, Oboe d’amore, English Horn, Musette, and Orch. (1967-68; Warsaw, Sept. 24, 1970); Sinfonia for Chorus and Orch. (1968-69; Katowice, May 28, 1969); Capriccioso notturno (1972; Warsaw, Jan. 12, 1973); Pro Varsovia (1973-74; Warsaw, Jan. 17, 1975); Concerto for Instrumentalists, Soprano, and Orch. (1975–76); Musica concertante for Alto Saxophone and Orch. (1980; Warsaw, Sept. 20, 1983); Piano Concerto (1981; Katowice, Dec. 3, 1982); Symphonie concertante for Violin and Chamber Orch. (1982); Polonia, symphonic poem for Violin and Orch. (Katowice, Oct. 5, 1984); Les Extrêmes se touchent (1986); Play for Flute and Chamber Orch. (1988-89; Poznan, April 7, 1991); Guitar Concerto (Katowice, Oct. 2, 1992); Concerto classico for Strings (1995); Organ Concerto (Kraków, Oct. 25, 1996); Musica for Strings (1997). Chamber:Intonazioni I for 9 Instruments (1963); 2 string quartets (1964-75; 1995); Szkice (Essays) for Oboe and Piano (1965); Metamorfozy (Metamorphoses) for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1967; Bayreuth, Aug. 18, 1969); Wersje (Versions) for 6 Instruments (1968); Musica per Ensemble MW-2 for Flute, Cello, and 2 Pianos (Kraków, Sept. 17, 1970); Trio for Flute, Oboe, and Guitar (1971; Nice, June 1, 1973); Impromptu I for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1972; Lisbon, April 12, 1974) and II for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Piano (1999); Musica notturna for Oboe and Piano (1974; Siena, July 2, 1976); Divertimento I for Chamber Ensemble (1975), II for Accordion Quintet (1982), and III for Violin, Cello, and Accordion (1986); Preludi e cadenza for Violin (Warsaw, April 23, 1979); Kwartet dzieciecy (Children’s Quartet) for 4 Violins (1979; Lódz, Sept. 20, 1981); Preludi e cadenza for Violin and Piano (1983; Katowice, March 20, 1985); Capriccioso for Accordion (1985; Bialystok, Aug. 25, 1986); Nokturny (Nocturnes) for Harp (1986; Vienna, July 22, 1987); Dialogues for Saxophone and Vibraphone (1987); Continuo I for Accordion Quintet (1987; Rotterdam, Feb. 13, 1989) and 17 for Accordion (1988; Bialystok, April 10, 1989); Musica for Guitar (1993); Piano Trio (1993); Elegia for Cello and Piano (1994). keyboard: piano:Per pianoforte (1968; Warsaw, Oct. 27, 1969); Solo per pianoforte (Cieszyn, Dec. 6, 1995). organ:Prelude (Katowice, Oct. 19, 1994); Inwokacja (Invocation; 1996). vocal:Apokalypsis (Apocalypse) for Reciter, Chorus, and Instrumental Ensemble (1965; Warsaw, Dec. 17, 1966); Canti for Soprano and Orch. (1967; Warsaw, Sept. 29, 1968); Kontemplacje (Contemplations) for Soprano and Piano (1969); L’Être for Soprano, Flute, Cello, and 2 Pianos (1973); Ewokacja (Evocation) for Baritone and Orch. (1974); Sonet (Sonnet) for Soprano, Flute, Cello, and 2 Pianos (1980); Gaude Mater Polonia for Soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1990; Czestochowa, May 1, 1991); Lacrimosa for Soprano and Piano (1991); Dies irae for Chorus, Percussion, and Piano (1992; Wroclaw, Feb. 25, 1994); Oda (Ode) for Reciter, Chorus, Piano, and Orch. (1994); Agnus Dei for Soprano and Piano (1995; Chorzów, Oct. 9, 1997); Et in terra pax for Chorus (1995; Gliwice, Nov. 11, 1999); Requiem for Soprano, Chorus, Percussion, and Organ (1995–96); Pater noster for Chorus (1996); Piesni Safony (Sappho’s Songs) for Woman Reciter, Flute, Percussion, and 2 Accordions (1998); Strofy (Strophes) for 2 Choruses and Organ (1999).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire