Fotek Jan

Fotek, Jan, Polish composer; b. Czerwinsk-on-theVistula, Nov. 28, 1928. He studied composition with Stanislaw Wiechowicz at the State Higher School of Music in Krakow (1952–53), and then with Tadeusz Szeligowski at the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw (graduated, 1958). In 1973 he received the Prime Minister’s Award for his children’s and young people’s works, and in 1977 the Friar Albert’s Award for his sacred music.

Works

DRAMATIC Morze jednosci odnalezionej (The Sea of Recovered Unity), radio opera (1967); Galileusz (Galileo), musical drama (1969); Vir sapiens dominabitur astris, radio opera (1973); Lyzki i ksiezyc (Spoons on the Moon), opera (1976); Lesna Kroleivna (A Forest King’s Daughter), opera-ballet (1977); Kazdy (Anyone), opera-mystery (1983). ORCH.: 2 syms. (1958,1959); Kategorie for Strings, Harp, Celesta, and Percussion (1963); Epitasis (1967; Warsaw, Sept. 24, 1971); Partita for 12 Bassoons and 3 Double Basses (1968); Opus concertante II (1968); Fantazja na temat “Przqsniczki” S. Moniuszki (Fantasy on the Theme of ’The Spinner” from S. Moniuszko; 1974); Musica cromatica for Chamber String Orch. (1982; Warsaw, Sept. 23, 1984); Melodia Lubuska (The Lubusz Melody) for Instrumental Ensemble (1983); Passacaglia (1985); Suita czarnoleska (Czarnolas Suite) for Flute, Harpsichord, and Chamber String Orch. (1986); Canzona from Jasna Gora (1993). CHAMBER: Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano (1955); Opus concertante I for Organ, Piano, and Percussion (1959); Trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1961); Trimorphie for 3 Flutes, Harpsichord, and Prepared Piano (1966); 2 string quartets (1967, 1978); Trzy scherza (Three Scherzos) for Bassoon and Piano (1979); Musiquette for 3 Saxophones (1982); Variations for Saxophone and Piano (1984); Sonata romantica for Tuba and Piano (1985); Szkice (Sketches) for Violin and Piano (1985). KEYBOARD : Pi ano : 7 Preludes (1973). Organ : Partita concertante (1964); Quattri impressioni (1983). H a r p s i c h o r d : Sonata (1979). VOCAL : Poesia con musica—Niobe for Reciters, Chorus, and Orch. (1960); 3 Laudi for Chorus (1963); Hymn gregoriaiiski (Gregorian Hymn) for Chorus and Orch. (1963); Cykl wierszy (A Cycle of Verses) for Children’s Chorus and Orch. (1963; also as Sny dzieciece [Children’s Dreams] for Children’s Chorus, 2 Pianos, and Percussion, 1974); Oda (Ode) for Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orch. (1965); Apostrofy (Apostrophes) for Baritone and 2 Pianos (1966); Verbum for Chorus, Organ, 2 Pianos, and Percussion (1967); Nokturny (Nocturnes) for Soprano and Chamber Orch., after Sappho (1968); Hymne de Sainte Brigitte for Mezzo-soprano and 7 Instruments (1970; Warsaw, Sept. 17, 1972); Ostatnia wojna (The Last War) for Reciter, Chorus, and Orch. (1971); Piesni taneczne (Dance Songs) for Woman’s Voice and Piano (1971; also for Woman’s Voice and Orch., 1979); Wariacje na zaday temat (Variations on a Given Theme) for Children’s Chorus (1971); Heroikon for Mezzo-soprano, Baritone, Reciter, Chorus, and Orch. (1974; Warsaw, Oct. 30, 1999); Msza ku czci NMP Matki Kosciola (Mass in Praise of St. Mary, Mother of the Church) for Mezzo-soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1976); Piesni sponad wod (Songs Upon the Water) for Chorus or Men’s Chorus (1976); Chorale for Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1978); Fraszki (Epigrams) for Chorus (1979); Ecloga (Eclogue) for Countertenor and Period Instrumental Ensemble (1987); Mass for Men’s Chorus (1993).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire