Przybylski Bronisław Kazimierz, *11 December 1941 Łódź, †4 April 2011 Łódź, Polish composer. He graduated from the PWSM in Łódź, where he obtained diplomas in music theory (1964) and composition (1969); he continued his studies in 1975–77 with R. Haubenstock-Ramati at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna. From 1963, he lectured at the PWSM (currently the Academy of Music) in Łódź, from 1991, head of the composition department and from 1992, full professor. Winner of, among others: 3rd prize (1972) and 2nd prize (1974; 1st prize was not awarded) at the G. Fitelberg National Composition Competition in Katowice, 2nd and 3rd prize (1972 and 1974) at the Polish Radio and Television Composition Competition in Warsaw, distinctions at the H. Wieniawski International Composition Competition in Poznań (1976), the 3rd degree award of the Minister of National Defence (1973), the 1st degree award of the Ministry of Culture and Art (1980) and the Prime Minister’s Award (1981). In 1999, he received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
Przybylski’s output is dominated by chamber and solo pieces, in which the composer experimented with material, texture and form, but the most significant is his orchestral work. In it, he referred to the tradition of European symphony from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, and he willingly used quotations that functioned as symbols (e.g. Bogurodzica in Sinfonia polacca, Mozart’s Requiem in Lacrimosa 2000, Chopin’s Mazurka Op. 6 No. 2 in À Varsovie), presenting them in crudo or with certain modifications. The rich range of means: from strict diatonicism to sonoristic material, simple architectural patterns to open forms – influenced the great diversity of the style of his work.
Literature: T. Marek Bronisław Kazimierz Przybylski „À Varsovie”, “Polish Music”1983 No. 1/2; A. Bęben, E. Kowalska-Zając, M. Szoka Łódzkie środowisko kompozytorskie 1945–2000, Łódź 2001 (includes a full list of compositions); E. Kowalska-Zając, Wspomnienie o kompozytorze. Bronisław Kazimierz Przybylski (1941–2011), “Kronika miasta Łodzi” 2011 No. 2; E. Kowalska-Zając, W świecie barw, obrazów i idei. Poetyka muzyczna Bronisława Kazimierza Przybylskiego, in: Kompozytor i jego świat. Bronisław Kazimierz Przybylski in memoriam, Łódź 2012; E. Kowalska-Zając, Wiedeń, lata 70. U źródeł twórczości Bronisława Kazimierza Przybylskiego, in: Kompozytor i jego świat. Bronisław Kazimierz Przybylski in memoriam, Łódź 2012; E. Kowalska-Zając, Łódzki rezonans europejskiej awangardy. Muzyka Bronisława Kazimierza Przybylskiego, “Glissando” 2015 No. 26
Instrumental:
for orchestra:
Quattro studi for orchestra, 1970
In honorem Nicolai Copenici for orchestra, 1972, Kraków 1974
Taniec [Dance] for string orchestra, 1972
4 Kurpie Nocturnes for harp or guitar and chamber string orchestra, 1973
Concerto polacco for accordion and orchestra, 1973, published in Kraków 1975, 2nd ed. 1979
Memento for orchestra, 1973
Scherzi musicali for string orchestra, 1973
Guernica – Pablo Picasso in memoriam for orchestra, 1974, performed at the Warsaw Autumn Festival 1975, published in Kraków 1977;
Concerto per pianoforte e orchestra, 1976
Sinfonia da Requiem, 1976
Sinfonia polacca, 1978, published in Kraków 1986
Cottbuser Ouvertüre, 1980
À Varsovie for orchestra, 1980, performed at the Warsaw Autumn Festival 1984, published in Kraków 1985
Quasi una sonata for string orchestra, 1980
Sinfonia Corale, 1981
Program „S” – hommage à Karol Szymanowski for piano and string orchestra, 1982, published in Warsaw 1994
Sinfonia Affresco, 1982
Concertino for accordion and chamber orchestra, 1983, published in Vienna/Trossingen 1985, Łódź 1994, 1997
Concerto per clavicembalo e archi, 1983
Folklore for string orchestra, 1983
Sinfonia Anniversario, 1983/95
Return – quasi symphonic poem for orchestra, 1984
Midnight Echoes Music for string orchestra, 1985
Concerto classico for accordion and orchestra, 1986, published in Hanover 1989
Scherzi for cello and wind orchestra, 1990; 2nd version for violin and chamber orchestra, 1990; 3rd version for violin or flute and piano, 1990, published in Łódź 1996
Lacrimosa 2000 for string orchestra, 1991
From overseas for chamber orchestra, 1999
Re-construction for accordion and orchestra, 1999, published in Łódź 2002
Comebacks to Holy Land for 2 instruments solo (bass clarinet or bassoon and harp or harpsichord) and chamber string orchestra, 2000, 2nd version for strings, 2000
Mazurskie jeziora for string orchestra, 2005, published in Łódź 2005
The Night Flight for accordion orchestra and percussion ad libitum, 2nd version for string orchestra and percussion ad libitum, 2008, published in Łódź 2008
chamber:
String Quartet “Quartetto del tritono”, 1969, published in Kraków 1976
Variabile for accordion quintet, 1970, published in Milan 1980, Warsaw 1984
Circulus for percussion ensemble, 1971, published in Warsaw 1976, Milan 1980
Permutare for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, 1971, published in Warsaw 1975
Rotazioni per tre, 1971, published in Leipzig 1986
Variazioni sopra un tema di Paganini for violin and piano, 1972, published in Kraków 1975
Arnold Schönberg in memoriam for string quartet, 1977, published in Kraków/Munich 1981
Asteroeides I–V for accordion quintet, 1978, performed at the Warsaw Autumn Festival 1981, published in Warsaw 1984
Tastiera for 4 any keyboard instruments, 1978, published in Losser 1991
Constellazioni for 2 guitars, 1979
Quasi una sonata for violin and piano,1980, published in Warsaw 1988
Klingenthaler Impressionen for accordion and guitar, 1982, published in Munich 1989
Play for two for 2 accordions, 1984, published in Losser 1985
Metamorphosen for accordion and string quartet, 1985, published in Munich 1988
Bimodal-Piece for 2 accordion quintets, 1986, published in Losser 1987
Constellation DDHE for accordion ensemble, 1986, published in Losser 1987
Folklore II for guitar and harpsichord, 1986, published in Warsaw 1987
Modal-piece I for accordion quintet, 1986, published in Losser 1987
Modal-piece II for accordion quintet, 1986, published in Losser 1987
Musica concertante for organ and percussion, 1986
Trio for violin, cello and accordion, 1986, published in Losser 1987
Double-play for 2 accordions, 1987, published in Losser 1987
“…Wieder zu Staub werden” for flute and accordion, 1988, published in Losser 1990
Burlesque for flute and accordion, 1988, published in Munich 1992
Night Music for flute, guitar and accordion, 1988, published in Losser 1990
Ständchen for flute, violin and accordion, 1988, published in Hanover 1989
Albertinum for 10 accordions, 1989, published in Losser 1989
Grünes Gewölbe, Gemäldegalerie for accordion quintet, 1989, published in Losser 1989
Scherzo for flute and accordion, 1989, published in Losser 1989
Six for six – Six Phases for six Instruments, 1990, published in Losser 1991
Summer-Multiplay for various instrumental ensembles, 1990, published in Losser 1990
Tre pezzi concertanti for 2 accordions and percussion, 1990, published in Losser 1990
Concerto della morte e della vita for oboe or saxophone, 2 guitars and cello, 1991, published in Losser 1992
Non omnis – Andrzej Krzanowski in memoriam for 2 accordions and percussion, 1991, published in Losser 1991
Scherzi-Trio for violin, cello and piano, 1992
Winter-Multiplay for various instrumental and vocal ensembles, 1993
Autumn-Multiplay for flute, oboe, violin, cello, harpsichord and accordion, 1994
La follia seconda for 2 guitars, 1997, published in Łódź 1997
Modus for clarinet and accordion, 1997, published in Meppen 1997
Flashbacks for chamber ensemble, 1998
Metal-Construction for percussion ensemble, 1998
7 voeux – d’après la peinture de Tadè Makowski for oboe, bassoon and piano, 2000
Déjà vu quintette for piano (accordion and harp) and string quartet, 2000
From the Life: Like a Butterfly, Like a Whale, Like an Ant, triptych for accordion and string quartet, 2000, published in Łódź 2002
Memory of K.N. for flute, oboe, violin, cello and harpsichord, 2000
Danza Capricciosa for clarinet, guitar and accordion, 2000, published in Kraichtal 2005
Mysterium Fidei for string quartet and percussion, 2000, published in Łódź 2007
Il tempo – groteske Suite for accordion and percussion instruments, 2001, published in Trossingen 2001
4 Stücke for trombone and accordion, 2001, published in Vienna 2001
Am Spreeufer for violin, cello and piano, 2001
Rubinstein Metamorphoses for string quartet, 2002, published in Łódź 2002
The young Spinner – musical Joke after St.M. for string quartet, 2002, published in Łódź 2002
Signs for guitar and accordion, 2003, published in Łódź 2003
Movement I for bass clarinet and accordion, 2004, Łódź 2004
Movement II for clarinet and accordion, 2004, published in Łódź 2004
On the Way for string quartet, 2004, published in Łódź 2004
La vie des fourmies for 4 clarinets, 2005, published in Łódź 2005
The Very Young Spinner – musical joke after St. M. for saxophone quartet, 2005, published in Łódź 2005
A-na-Capri for accordion quintet, 2005, 2nd version for 12 cellos, published in Łódź 2007
Con-tact for flute, violin and organ, 2005, published in Łódź 2005
The Sonic Con-tact for theremin, organ and string quartet, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
The Way for saxophone quartet, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
The New Con-tact for theremin and organ, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
The Second Con-tact for theremin and string quartet, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
Feelings for chamber ensemble, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
Astral Con-tact for theremin and accordion quintet, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
Sunrise for saxophone quartet, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
Sunrise AC for 4 accordions, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
Sunset for 4 double basses, 2006, published in Łódź 2006
Atlantic AC for saxophone quartet and 4 double basses, 2006; 2nd version for 4 accordions and 4 double basses, published in Łódź 2006
The New Astral Con-Tact for flute and accordion quintet, 2007, published in Łódź 2007
Verwandlung for saxophone and 2 string quartets, 2007, published in Łódź 2007
Night Birds for accordion and 4 double basses, 2007 (11 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2007
Concert Music in five parts for 3 accordions and percussion, 2007, published in Łódź 2007
The Sleep of Reason for chamber ensemble, 2008, published in Łódź 2008
Trzy obrazy z Północy for 4 percussionists, 2008, published in Łódź 2008
Interval Games for 4 accordions and percussion ad libitum, 2008, (11 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2008
24 Preludia wiosenne [24 Spring Preludes] for two violas 2008, (91 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2008
Sześć pieśni jesiennych [Six Autumn Songs] for trumpet B and marimba 2008, (60 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2008
The Short Con-Tact for clarinet B, guitar (electric guitar) and piano, 2009, published in Łódź 2009
24 Preludia letnie [24 Summer Preludes] for 2 violas, 2009, (74 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2009
Groteski for viola and accordion, 2009, (36 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2009
24 Preludia Jesienne [24 Autumn Preludes] for 2 marimbas, 2010, (4 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2010
Wyspy Eolskie for viola and accordion, 2010, (50 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2010
Miniatury rytmiczne [Rhythmic Miniatures] for viola and accordion, 2010, (24 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2010
Nocne myśli [Night Thoughts] for viola, percussion and harp, 2010, (36 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2010
Południe [Noon] for accordion and strings, 2010, (12 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2010
Kwiaty pustyni [Desert Flowers] for bassoon and strings, 2010, (12 versions for various instruments), published in Łódź 2010
Erlkönig. Phantasmagorie über ein Franz Schubert Thema for accordion ensemble, 2010, published in Łódź 2010
solo:
3 Pieces for accordion, 1963, published in Kraków 1964, 2nd ed. 1999
Saggio di suonare for clarinet, 1964, published in Kraków 1973, 2nd ed. 1983
Tema con variazioni for piano, 1964, published in Kraków 1970
Scherzo concertante for accordion, 1965, published in Kraków 1971, 3rd ed. 1995
Prząśniczka for accordion, 1972, published in Leipzig 1974
La folia – Variations and Fugue in an Old Style for accordion, 1974, published in Kraków 1978, 2nd ed. 1982
Capriccio for violin, 1976, published in Kraków 1979
Toccatina for accordion, 1977, published in Paris 1977
Triptychon – nach Bildern von Wolfgang Bergner for violin, 1977, published in Łódź 2002
Ciaccona B.A.C.H. for violin, 1980
Play 1–5 for accordion, 1983, published in Hanover 1987
Three Nocturnes for guitar, 1983, published in Łódź 1997
Five pictures for percussion, 1984
Rota – passacaglia na temat F. Nowowiejskiego for organ, 1985, published in Łódź 1996
Bachanalie for 2 pianos, 1986, published in Losser 1990
5 Studien for accordion,1987, published in Bensheim 1988
Spring Sonata for accordion, 1989, published in Losser 1989
La nuit étoilée for piano, 1995, published in Łódź 2002
Seigle vert for piano, 1995, published in Łódź 2002
Spring-Multiplay for percussion, 1995
Inscription au Père-Lachaise for piano, 1998, published in Łódź 2001
Diare Piece for piano, 2001, published in Łódź 2001
Progress for accordion, 2001, published in Łódź 2001
Epiphaneia for accordion, 2002, published in Łódź 2002
Im Sonnenschein for accordion, 2003, published in Trossingen 2003
Italian Delicatessen for accordion, 2005, 2nd version for piano, published in Łódź 2005
Jordan, triptych for harpsichord, 2010, 2nd version for accordion, 2010, 3rd version for organ, 2010, published in Łódź 2010
pedagogical pieces for various instruments
Vocal-instrumental:
Umanita for soprano, organ and timpani, lyrics T. Kowalczyk, 1970
Requiem for soprano, 2 reciters, boys’ choir and orchestra, 1976
Jagdsagen for reciter, brass quintet, lyrics H. Sauer-Zur, 1978, published in Warsaw 1995
In memoriam 1982, published in Warsaw 1983
Sceny biblijne for voice and string orchestra, lyrics R.M. Rilke, transl. M. Jastrun, 1995
Missa Papae Joannis Pauli Secundi for soprano, choir and orchestra, 1998, published in Łódź 1998
Blaue Hortensie for baritone, alto saxophone and 5 musette ensemble, lyrics R.M. Rilke, 1998
Wybrzeża pełne ciszy for soprano, vibraphone, 3 tam-tams and string quartet, lyrics K. Wojtyła, 2003
Sinfonia Cantata “Myśląc Ojczyzna” for mezzo-soprano, bass, mixed choir and symphonic orchestra, lyrics K. Wojtyła, 2004, published in Łódź 2004
Tutto è sciolto for voice and chamber orchestra, lyrics J. Joyce, 2010, published in Łódź 2011
choral and children’s songs
Scenic:
Homines, ballet, 1972
Miriam. Misterio di morte, ballet music, 1985
Smok wawelski ballet, pantomime in 2 acts, 8 scenes, 1987
From Overseas, ballet scenes for chamber orchestra, 1999
Electronic:
Spazio, colori, tempo, 1973
Metavariazioni, 1974
Pokolenie, 1975
