Kania Emanuel, *26 March 1827 Uszyce (near Opole), †16 March 1887 Warsaw, Polish pianist and composer. He studied music with his father, and then in 1938-45 with K. Schnabel (piano) and J.F. Wolf (organ) in Wrocław. In 1850 in Wrocław, he made his first public appearance. In 1850–52 he lived in Berlin, where he taught music, gave concerts and published his first works. He also performed as a pianist in Hamburg, Leipzig and Wrocław. Finally, in 1853, he settled in Warsaw, where he took up active concert activities. In 1857 and 1861, he went to Paris, where he studied with E. Wolf and in 1861 made a public appearance at the Erard Hall. Moreover, he gave concerts in many cities in Poland, Germany, Belgium and Russia. In 1869–73, he taught piano at the Institute of Music, which he left due to disagreements with the management, and from 1873 until the end of his life, he stayed at the Alexandria-Mary Institute for the Education of Ladies in Warsaw. From 1857, he was a reviewer and music reporter in “Ruch Muzyczny,” then in “Gazeta Muzyczna i Teatralna” and “Tygodnik Ilustrowany;” in 1870-80, he was a permanent music reporter in “Kurier Codzienny,” and in 1885-87 a music critic in “Kłosy.”
Most of Kania’s works are piano miniatures, which were very popular in their time. The composer used means typical of early Romantic music. Due to their simple texture, many of them could have belonged to the home music repertoire. Some are more virtuosic in nature (etudes, Grande Polonaise Op. 17), but the means used in them do not go beyond simple scale progressions, arpeggios, and double notes, already present in composers writing in the brillant style. His Piano Concerto (probably only the first movement composed) also represents the type of concerto brillant both in terms of form and means used, and the orchestra does not go beyond the classical cast. Kania’s more interesting compositions include the Trio in G minor and the Sonata in A minor with the classical structure of the cycle, the form of individual parts and tonal relationships. The sonata is one of the few Polish cello sonatas of this period. In the first part, both themes show motivic connections, typical of the music of the Romantic period. None of Kania’s major works have been published (manuscript in Jagiellonian Library). Kania was a valued piano teacher and music reporter. In addition to reviews, he published articles about music in Warsaw magazines, in which he emphasised the importance of native music.
Literature: “Echo Muzyczne” 1887, No. 182 (obituary); W. Baluch Emanuel Kania. Warszawski artysta muzyk ze Śląska Opolskiego. Kronika życia i działalności muzycznej, “Kwartalnik Opolski” VII, 1961; K. and R. Suchecki Polska sonata wiolonczelowa. Próba charakterystyki, «Zeszyty Naukowe PWSM Gdańsk» XI, 1972; Z. Kościów Emanuel Kania, Kraków 1995.
Instrumental:
Trio in G minor for violin, cello and piano, 1867, performed in Warszawa 1867, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Sonata in A minor for cello and piano, 1867, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Allegro symphonique Op. 23, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
3 polonaises for orchestra, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Piano Concerto in A minor, part 1, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Sérénade for cello and piano Op. 9, published by Heinrichshofen, version for piano: Zadumki wieczorne Op. 9, published in Warsaw, no year, Gebethner i Wolff
Romans for cello and piano Op. 15, published in Berlin, no year, Trautwein
Fantaisie Op. 5 for piano, published in Berlin, no year, Trautwein
Etudes for piano – 3 from Op. 6, published in Warsaw, no year, Gebethner i Wolff, Mainz, no year, Schott; 2 from Op. 14, published in Mainz, no year, Schott; 2 from Op. 22, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister; E-flat minor Op. 21, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library; Etude de concert Op. 31, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister
Scherzo Op. 30 for piano, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister
2 barcaroles for piano, the second Op. 32, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister
Andantino-impromptu Op. 33 for piano, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister
nocturnes, including Op. 44, published in Warsaw
2 impromptus Op. 52 for piano, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Numerous dances for piano, including Mazurki Op. 13, published in Mainz; Mazurek in B minor Op. 29, published in Warsaw
Grande polonaise Op. 17 for piano, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister
La résignation Op. 41, polonaise for piano, published in Warsaw, no year, Hoesick
Krakowiak Op. 15 for 4 hands for piano, published in Warsaw, no year, Gebethner i Wolff
Krakowiak Op. 28 for piano, published in Warsaw and Offenbach, no year, André
Graziosa Op. 7, polka for piano, published in Warsaw, no year, Gebethner i Wolff and Mainz, no year, Schott
Grande polka brillante Op. 10, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister
waltzes for piano, including 4 valses de salon – 2 from Op. 21, published in Leipzig, no year, Hofmeister; Op. 26 and Op. 39, published in Warsaw, no year, Gebethner i Wolff; valse-scherzo La Coquette Op. 38, published in Offenbach, no year, André
24 preludia for piano Op. 34, manuscript of 7 pieces in the Jagiellonian Library
Arabeska for piano Op. 45, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
romances with programme titles for piano
caprices with programme titles for piano
miniatures with programme titles for piano
transcriptions of works by Kania and other composers for piano
Vocal:
Veni Creator for male vocal quartet, 1864, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Ave Maria, version for 2 voices and for 4 voices, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Psalm XCIII for a mixed choir a cappella, lyrics by J. Kochanowski, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Vocal-instrumental:
several songs for voice and piano to words by A. Mickiewicz, J. Chodźka, W. Wolski, W. Pol, B. Zaleski, T. Lenartowicz, K. Brodziński, R. Kucz, W. Syrokomla, also to translations by J.W. Goethe and H. Heine, published in Warsaw
Scenic:
Werbel domowy, comedy-opera, libretto J. Gregorowicz, staged in Warsaw 30 January 1861, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Pedagogical:
100 miniatur dla młodych uczniów i uczennic Op. 51 for piano, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Melodische Studien Op. 54 for piano, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Dwie studje w formie fugi Op. 55 for piano, one fugue kept, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library
Other:
sketches and fragments of piano pieces, 6 scenic, 7 religious and of Piano Concerto in F major preserved in the Jagiellonian Library
