Classical News from Hal Leonard Australia

Hal Leonard Australia mourns the passing of revered Polish composer Henryk Mikolaj Górecki, who after a long illness passed away at age 76 on 12 November 2010.

Górecki’s Musical legacy…


Henryk Mikolaj Górecki began making his mark in the 1950’s as Poland’s leading avant-garde composer drawing inspiration from folk and religious influences.

In the 1990’s he reached worldwide success with the release of the London Sinfonietta recording of Symphony No.3 'Symphony of Sorrowful Songs'. This recording, featuring soprano soloist, Dawn Upshaw and conductor, David Zinman attracted international attention and sold in excess of a million copies. While topping UK, US and Australia Classical charts it also reached number 6 on the UK mainstream charts.

This milestone work was composed in 1976, and was at that time considered “shocking in its tonality and simplicity.” Scored for Orchestra and Soprano, the work consists of three slow movements and includes text from various sources including: settings of a 15th-century sacred lamentation and a prayer (“Oh Mamma do not cry — Immaculate Queen of Heaven support me always”) that was scrawled by a young woman on the wall of a Polish prison and tells of a mother grieving her son lost in war.

This work would go on to be used for various advertising campaigns around the world as well as movie sound tracks that include the Mike Nichols HBO film, “Wit” starring Emma Thomson, the 1985, Maurice Pialat’s feature film “Police” and accompanied the plane crash in Peter Weir's “Fearless” (1993).

Górecki’s works have been embraced by both community and professional choral groups and choreographers throughout the world. His works have been performed by the world's leading orchestras, Kronos Quartet, London Sinfonietta, Schoenberg Ensemble and American soprano Dawn Upshaw.

Górecki is survived by wife Jadwiga, daughter Anna - a pianist, and son Mikolaj - a composer.

More information on Górecki's music

Listen to Górecki's music

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