Bauer Jerzy, *12 May 1936 Łódź, composer, music theorist and conductor. He studied theory, conducting and composition (under T. Kiesewetter) at the PWSM (State Higher School of Music) in Łódź, obtaining diplomas in 1959, 1961 and 1966. He had additional studies under N. Boulanger in Paris in 1969–70. From 1979, he was associated with PWSM in Łódź (now Academy of Music); in 1979, he received the title of a docent, 1987 associate professor and in 1992 full professor.
In 1980–2006, he was the head of the Department of Composition, Music Theory and Rhythmics (from 2000 the Department of Music Theory), and in 1990–96 dean of the Faculty of Composition, Theory, Music Education and Rhythmics. He is a laureate of Concours International de Guitare, organised by Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française and of many national composition competitions.
Jerzy Bauer’s early works are influenced by Bartók (Divertimento, Three Reconstructions), Messiaen (Reminiscenze) and the neoclassical style (Toccatina). Later, the composer referred to medieval music (Aetatis mediae sculpturae), impressionist aesthetics (Bright Tweeting), and folklore (Dialoguing Monologues, Polish Dance 80). His compositions are characterised by the use of selected sound material (Pentatonium, Three Primitivi), deriving themes from a few-note motivic germ (Three Conceptions), preferring parallelisms to achieve an archaising effect (Choral Fantasy “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”) and expression (Psalm 80 and Alleluia) while maintaining strict formal discipline.
Literature: M. Szoka Twórczość organowa Jerzego Bauera, in: Organy i muzyka organowa, vol. 5, «Prace Specjalne Akademii Muzycznej w Gdańsku» no. 33, Gdańsk 1984. A. Bęben, E. Kowalska-Zając, M. Szoka Łódzkie środowisko kompozytorskie 1945–2000, Łódź 2001 (includes a complete list of compositions); E. Kowalska-Zając, „Wyrosłem w zachwycie nad wielką muzyką europejską…” – Jerzego Bauera dyskurs z tradycją, in: Sztuki nie sposób tworzyć „ex nihilo”. Jerzemu Bauerowi na siedemdziesięciolecie, Łódź 2006; A. Nawe, Jerzy Bauer – twórca heterogeniczny: poetyka i ilustracyjność partii fortepianu jako elementy intencji interpretacyjnych w wybranych utworach kameralnych Jerzego Bauera, Łódź 2006.
Compositions:
Instrumental:
Humoresque for four trombones, 1963
Reed Trio No. 1 for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, 1964
Rondo of Fourths for clarinet and piano, 1964, published in Kraków 1975
Suite for string orchestra, 1964
Sonatina for piano, 1964
Divertimento for percussion and 2 pianos, 1965, published in Kraków 1986
Suite-grotesque for small orchestra, 1965
Overture in Hungarian Style for orchestra, 1965
Reed Trio No. 2 “Metamorphoses” for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, 1966
Red and Black for piano and orchestra, 1967, published in Kraków 1986
Toccatina for clarinet and piano, 1967, published in Kraków 1973
Marine Expressions for piano, 1968
Three Conceptions for orchestra, 1968
Mixtures for chamber ensemble, 1969
Miniatures, 1969, published in Kraków 1980
Suite for piano, 1969, published in Kraków 1980
Introduction and Three Prayers for Peace for string orchestra, 1970
Lullaby for piano, 1971
Da suonare for clarinet and piano, 1972
Three Essays for violin and piano, 1972, published in Kraków 1975
Three Reconstructions for piano, 1972
Polish Toccatina for piano, 1973, published in Kraków 1980
Reminiscenze for organ, 1973, published in Kraków 1975
Contemplazione in do for piano, 1974
Invocazioni for violin and piano, 1974, published in Kraków 1976
Warsaw Nike for orchestra, 1974
Symphonic Pulsations for 2 electric guitars, organ and orchestra, 1974
Musica in do for chamber string ensemble, 1975
Three Kurpie Songs for cello and piano, 1975, published in Kraków 1977
Eleusinian Mysteries for flute and piano, 1976, published in Bydgoszcz 1987
Preludes and a Polish Dance for violin and piano, 1976
Sonospheres for piano and orchestra, 1976
Racconto di una chitarra for guitar, 1977
3 Preludes for piano, 1977
Diatonic Mosaic for trumpet and piano, 1977, published in Kraków 1980
Pentatonium for organ, 1977, published in Warsaw 1990
3 Religious Folk Art Sculptures for oboe and piano, 1977, published in Warsaw 1982
2 Religious Folk Art Sculptures for oboe and guitar, 1977
Oberka Variations for cello and orchestra, 1978
Preludio e Passacaglia ballante for 2 guitars, 1978, published in Łódź, 1997
Pensiero per la chiusura for guitar, 1978
Per Chitarra, 1978
7 Notes in Honour of Wanda Landowska for harpsichord, 1979
Concertino for violin and orchestra, 1980
Choral Fantasy on a Theme “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” for organ, 1980, published in Warsaw 1985
3 Little Passacaglias for oboe and piano, 1980, published in Warsaw 1982
4 Improvisations for guitar, 1981
Polish Dance 80 for orchestra, 1981
2 Winter Fragments for violin and piano, 1981
3 Old Polish Passion Songs for organ, 1981, published in Warsaw 1982
Birth of Little Passacaglia for chamber orchestra, 1982, published in Warsaw 1982
Music in Two Movements for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, 1982, published in Warsaw 1983
Sonata in One Movement for cello and piano, 1982, premiere Warsaw Autumn Festival 1991, published in Warsaw 1987
Passacaglia for piano, 1983
Three Ballads for guitar, 1983, published in Warsaw 1991
Jubilate e la danza polacca for orchestra, 1984
Highland Paper-cut for 2 cellos, 1984
Variational and Swinging for solo oboe, 1984, published in Szczecin 2009
Dialoguing Monologues for guitar and flute, 1984, published in Kraków 1995
Accende lumen sensibus for organ, 1985
Colours of Space for flute, cello and piano, 1985
Concerto for cello and orchestra, 1985
Tarantella for French horn and piano, 1985
Les images du mouvement for harpsichord and guitar, 1986, published in Warsaw 1987
Musica per quattro flauti 1986
An Event for percussion, 1986
Bright Twittering for flute and orchestra, 1987
3 Primitivi for cello and piano, 1987, published in Warsaw 1990
String Quartet, 1987
Two Improvisations for guitar, 1987
Play for moods for string quartet, 1988
A Postcard from the Mountains for 2 pianos, 1988
Les couleurs et les rythmes en mouvement for guitar, 1989, published in Kraków 1995
Libera me Domine for string sextet, 1989; 2nd version for organ, 1989; 3rd version for string sextet and organ, 1989; 4th version for brass quintet and organ, 2008
Ritornello e choro for violin and orchestra, 1989
And yet Habanera… (Maurice Ravel’s 115th birth anniversary) for harpsichord and guitar, 1990
Play serious to make fun for flute, guitar and accordion, 1991
Trio No. 1 for piano, violin and cello, 1992
Variations in Search of a Theme for cello, 1992, published in Kraków 1999
Arethusa’s Jubilee Improvisation for guitar, 1993, published in Żory 1993
Epitaph for Witold Lutosławski for violin, cello and piano, 1994
Golden Ouverture for French horn septet, 1994
Trio No. 2 “La serietà e leggerezza” for piano, violin and cello, 1995
Variations by means of BACHCABACHAB for guitar, 1995, published in Żory 1995, Lévis, Quebec 2011; Hamburg 2015
Concertino for guitar and string orchestra, 1995, published in Hamburg 2011
Trio «Musikalische Stimmung und Scherz» for flute, viola and guitar, 1996; 2nd version for flute, accordion and guitar, 1996
Duo concertante for guitar duo and symphony orchestra, 1997
Bistangoo for harpsichord, 1997; 2nd version for organ, 1997
Eschatological Contemplation (Bernard Pietrzak in memoriam) for organ, 1998
Chant from the Mountains for cello and piano, 1998
A Cycle of Miniatures for children and the Young with Elements of Improvisation for piano, 1998, published in Kraków 1999
Resonances and Rhythms for oboe and piano, 1999
BACHCAB for organ, 1999
4 Moments musicaux for guitar, 1999, published in Hamburg 2011
3 Moments musicaux for violin and piano, 2000
Fanfares, Bells and Glockenspiel for piano and symphony orchestra, 2000
Moment musicaux for violin and piano, 2000
Stylizations for 2 accordions, 2002
Passacaglia almost in an Old Style for cello and piano, 2002, published in Kraków 2011
Dualistyl for oboe and piano, 2003; 2nd version for trumpet and piano, 2011; 3rd version for trumpet and organ, 2011
Passacaglia for organ, 2003
Lamentazioni e allegrezza for flute and organ, 2004
Two Inscriptions for Witold Lutosławski for piano, 2004
This for cello and piano, 2006
Wigry Caprice for bassoon and piano, 2008, published in Łódź 2008
BisGit for 2 guitars, 2008; 2nd version for 8 guitars, 2014
Divertimento in 3 Pieces for 2 pianos, 2009
Memento for trumpet and piano, 2010
Crash with Ballad for trumpet and organ, 2010
Two Impressions on Christmas Caroll for 2 guitars, 2011
Three Small Passacaglias for trumpet and piano, 2011
Oscillations for cello and piano, 2012
Concerto No. 2 for cello and orchestra, 2013
A Postcard from the Mountains for guitar orchestra, 2014
Akwarela [Watercolour] for two for flute, cello and for fun, 2017
Vocal:
Nenia Niobe for soprano and mixed choir a cappella, lyrics by K.I. Gałczyński, 1967
Song of the Soldiers of Westerplatte for mixed choir a cappella, lyrics by K.I. Gałczyński, 1968
Two Guitars for choir a cappella, lyrics by K.I. Gałczyński, 1976
Psalm 80 for choir cappella, 1980; 2nd version1992
Proverbs from Fenis for mixed choir a cappella, 1982
For Death of a Familiar Pine for 3-voice children’s choir, lyrics by I. Sikirycki, 1983, published in Warsaw 1983
Un désir for choir a cappella, 1986
Hymne des premières Vêspres de Saint Martin for mixed choir a cappella, 1995, published in Łódź 2012
Oh, Native Tongue for 4-voice children’s choir, lyrics by I. Sikirycki, 1999
Two Stylizations for mixed choir a cappella, lyrics by A. Świrszczyńska, 2008, published in Łódź 2012
Vocal-instrumental:
3 Songs for soprano and piano, lyrics by P.B. Shelley, 1963
Aetatis mediae sculpturae for mixed choir, boys’ choir and orchestra, 1971
Song on a June Night for baritone and piano, lyrics by K.I. Gałczyński, 1971
Crying Monument, cantata for mixed choir and orchestra, 1972
3 Laments for baritone and piano, lyrics by J. Kochanowski, 1972, published in Warsaw 1988
Ballad on a Miracle for voice and piano, lyrics by M. Hillar, 1975; 2nd version for voice and guitar, 1975
Trzy pieśni żartobliwe [Three Humorous Songs] for mezzo-soprano and piano, lyrics by L. J. Kern, 1977, published in Kraków 1979
The Bells Ring out for Angelus… for baritone and piano, lyrics by M. Kononowicz, 1979
3 Songs for baritone and piano, lyrics by K.I. Gałczyński, 1980
Poems on Karol Szymanowski for children’s choir, string instruments and vibraphone, lyrics by J. Iwaszkiewicz, J. Hordyński, J. Lechoń, 1982
Forest Concerto, performance for large symphony orchestra, 2 violins, children’s choir, ballet and narrator, lyrics by I. Sikirycki, 1983
Black Madonna for mixed choir and organ, lyrics by M. Kononowicz, 1987
Missa Pagana for baritone, mixed choir, 3 flutes, guitar and piano, lyrics by E. Stachura, 1988
Rustic Colouring Books for soprano (mezzo-soprano) and piano, lyrics by K. Iłłakowiczówna, 1991
First Love for voice and piano, lyrics by J. Clare, transl. S. Barańczak, 1993
Anonymous Limerics for haute contre or tenor, flute and piano, 1993
Żegnaj Krzyżu Wawelski [Farawell, the Wawel Cross] for soprano, mixed choir and symphonic orchestra, lyrics by M. Skwarnicki, K. Wojtyła, 1997
Two Songs for voice and piano, lyrics by J. Twardowski, 1998; for voice and organ, 1998
Why Does the Cucumber Never Sing? for mezzo-soprano and piano, lyrics by K.I. Gałczyński, 2000
3 Songs to texts by Wisława Szymborska for mezzo-soprano and piano, 2001
3 Songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, lyrics by M. Budziarek-Maciejczyk, 2001
Kot w pustym mieszkaniu [A Cat in an Empty Apartment] for soprano (mezzo-soprano) and piano, lyrics by W. Szymborska, 2003
3 Songs for soprano (mezzo) and piano, lyrics by Anna Świrszczyńska, 2004
Venus for baritone and piano, lyrics by H. Poświatowska, 2005
Psalm 150 for mezzo-soprano and organ, 2007; 2nd version for soprano, string ensemble and flute, 2007; 3rd version for voice and organ, 2007
Daemones for baritone and piano, lyrics by C. Miłosz, 2008
Conjugation for soprano (mezzo-soprano) and piano, lyrics by H. Poświatowska, 2015
Publications:
Próba znalezienia odniesień muzycznych dla różnych znaczeń pojęcia formy w historii muzyki, in: Przemiany techniki dźwiękowej, stylu i estetyki w polskiej muzyce lat 70., Kraków 1986
Interpretacja analityczna “V Symfonii” Romana Palestra, in: Muzyka źle obecna, Warsaw 1989
Sonorystyczne inklinacje w twórczości Grażyny Bacewicz, in: Rodzeństwo Bacewiczów, Łódź 1996
O możliwości sacrum w muzyce, “Ruch Muzyczny”, 1998 no. 2
Twórczość Witolda Lutosławskiego jako źródło moich inspiracji oraz garść wspomnień, in: Sztuki nie sposób tworzyć „ex nihilo”. Jerzemu Bauerowi na siedemdziesięciolecie, Łódź 2006
