Stefani, Jan
Stefani Józef Andrzej, *1800 (baptised on 16 April) Warsaw, †19 March 1876 Warsaw, Polish composer, violinist, conductor and teacher, son of Jan and Fryderyka de Monter. He studied music with his father, then with J. Elsner at the School of Music and Dramatic Art, and in 1821–24, at the Institute of Music and Declamation in Warsaw. From 1813, he sang in the choir of the National Theatre (from 1833 the Grand Theatre), then played in the theatre orchestra, successively as a timpanist, double bassist, viola player, and violinist; in 1827–58, he was the conductor of that orchestra in ballet performances. In 1827–30, he served as an assistant to K. Soliwa at the School of Drama and Singing (colloquially known as the conservatory), in 1835–41, he taught singing at the Singing School at the Grand Theatre (until 1839 as Elsner’s deputy, then together with T. Nidecki, he taught the second class); at the same time, he taught music and church singing in comprehensive schools, led school choirs (from 1825, in the Warsaw Lyceum, where he taught singing to Józef Sikorski, among others, in 1834–49, in the Provincial Gymnasium, 1849–54, in the Real Gymnasium) and worked in Warsaw as a conductor. In 1860/61, he was the inspector of the Institute of Music in Warsaw. On 20 October 1824, Józef Stefani married Marianna (Maria) née Drozdowska, a pianist and singer († 20 April 1865), sister of Karolina, a valued singer, the second wife of J. Elsner. Stefani was buried at the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw (plot 181–4–23).
Józef Stefani was particularly valued by his contemporaries as a composer of dances, both for orchestra, for various instrumental ensembles or for piano, and for vocal (choral and chamber) pieces. The main part of his stage work consists of ballets (mostly preserved in fragments), for which he composed the music himself, in collaboration with other composers or by making arrangements of works by other composers; he also conducted the orchestra during their performances. The most popular were the dances for the ballet Wesele krakowskie w Ojcowie (K. Kurpiński and J. Damse based on the motifs of Krakowiacy i Górale by Jan Stefani). His other stage compositions did not gain recognition. His first operetta, Lekcja botaniki, was removed after its premiere, and his last one, Trwoga wieczorna, was received very critically. These pieces are dominated by solo parts with simple melodies, written on the model of popular songs. The ensemble and choral fragments are maintained almost exclusively in a homophonic texture. In terms of rhythm, the rhythms of Polish dances, especially the mazurka and polonaise, play a significant role.
The most significant for the musical culture of 19th-century Warsaw was the pedagogical, popularising and patriotic activity of Józef Stefani. His Requiem was performed on 2 March 1861 as part of a great patriotic manifestation, the so-called funeral of “the Five Fallen,” during a service in the Church of the Holy Cross, with the participation of a large performing ensemble, including the choirs of the Institute of Music and amateurs. Stefani created textbooks for beginner pianists and singers, as well as collections of easy pieces and compositions addressed to amateur performers, including student ensembles. This trend includes most of his simple arrangements of religious pieces (masses, oratorios, cantatas, songs), secular occasional pieces (especially cantatas), as well as songs arranged for voice and piano and piano dances and marches. Many of Józef Stefani’s compositions were published in the 19th century. In his will, the composer left his works to the Library of the Warsaw Music Society, where there is a large collection of manuscripts (mainly autographs) that await a comprehensive musicological study.
Literature: M. Karasowski Rys historyczny opery polskiej…, Warsaw 1859; G. R[oguski] Józef Stefani, “Tygodnik Ilustrowany” 1876 No. 14 (obituary); K. Michałowski Opery polskie, Kraków 1954; H. Świetlicka Repertuar teatrów warszawskich 1832–1862, Warsaw 1968; Repertuar teatrów w Polsce, issue 3, ed. T. Sivert and K. Wierzbicka-Michalska, Warsaw 1973; W. Tomaszewski Bibliografia warszawskich druków muzycznych 1801–1850, Warsaw 1992; J. Schiller Portret zbiorowy nauczycieli warszawskich publicznych szkół średnich 1795–1862, «Monografie z Dziejów Oświaty» vol. 39, ed. J. Miąso, Warsaw 1998; A. and I. Spózowie Katalog polskich druków muzycznych 1801–1875 w zbiorach Biblioteki, Muzeum i Archiwum Warszawskiego Towarzystwa Muzycznego, Warsaw 2000; E. Wąsowska Rękopisy muzyczne XIX–XX wieku, vol. 3, «Katalog Mikrofilmów» 28, BN, Warsaw 2001; M. Dziadek Od Szkoły Dramatycznej do Uniwersytetu. Dzieje wyższej uczelni muzycznej w Warszawie 1810–2010, vol. 1: 1810–1944, Warsaw 2011.
Scenic:
Dawne czasy, opera, with J. Dams, libretto transl. from French by K. Godebski, staged in Warsaw 26 April 1826, manuscript of the 1st aria in the WTM Library
Lekcja botaniki, operetta in 2 acts, libretto transl. from French by F. Szymanowski, staged in Warsaw 15 March 1829, piano reduction of the overture and single arias for voice with piano, published in Warsaw 1829 F. Klukowski
Figle panien, comedy-opera in 1 act, libretto F. Skarbek, staged in Warsaw 6 August 1832, lost
Jest temu lat szesnaście, melodrama in 3 acts, text V.H.J. Ducange, transl. W. Olechowski, staged in Poznań 26 July 1838, lost
Talizman, comedy-opera in 5 acts, libretto J.N. Nestroy, transl. by B. Wagner staged in Warsaw 7 December 1849, transl. by B. Gwozdecki staged in Lublin 1867, manuscript of voices in the Polish Theatre Library in Poznań
Żyd wieczny tułacz, melodrama in 5 acts, text E. Sue, transl. J.T.S. Jasiński, staged in Warsaw 1 January 1850, lost
Piorun, operetta in 1 act, libretto L.E Clairville, transl. B. Halpert, staged in Warsaw 21 May 1856, fragment of an autograph of piano reduction in the WTM Library
Okropność, czyli Nowa La Farge, comedy-opera in 1 act, libretto B. Halpert, staged in 17 March 1862, autograph of the score and excerpts in the piano reduction in the WTM Library
Werbownicy, czyli Hans Jurga, dramatic picture in 1 act, text A. Oppman after a drama by Hans Jürge K. Holtei, staged in Poznań 1870, autograph of the score in the WTM Library
Trwoga wieczorna, operetta in 1 act, staged in Warsaw 25 July 1872, autograph, excerpts in the piano reduction in the WTM Library
not staged, including:
Nowy dziedzic, drollery in 1 act, libretto J.N. Kamiński, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library in Krakow
Trzy grzechy, comedy-opera in 1 act, autograph of the score in the WTM Library
Floryna, dramatic picture with music, autograph, excerpts in the piano reduction in the WTM Library
ca. 40 ballets (some together with other composers, including A. Adam, E.M.E. Daldavez, J. Damse, V. Jírovec, T.M. Hoguet, K. Kurpiński, C. Pugni, G.B. Scaramella, J.P Schmidt), e.g.:
Apollo i Midas, with K. Kurpiński, staged in Warsaw 23 October 1828, overture, excerpts and piano reduction published in Warsaw 1829 F. Klukowski
Mimili, czyli Styryjczycy, staged in Warsaw 2 February 1837, manuscript in the Jagiellonian Library in Krakow
Stach i Zośka, staged in Warsaw 17 October 1839, fragment entitled Mazur szalony, autograph of the score in WTM Library, fragm.ent published in: Zbiór krakowiaków z baletów „Wesele w Ojcowie” i „Stach i Zośka” różnych kompozytorów na fortepian, published in Warsaw 1829 I. Klukowski
dances for the ballet Wesele krakowskie w Ojcowie with music by K. Kurpiński and J. Damse on the theme from Krakowiacy i Górale by Jan Stefani, autograph from 1842 in WTM Library, fragments published in, among others, Mazur wykonany w balecie „Wesele w Ojcowie” (…) 8 czerwca 1846 na fortepian, published in Warsaw 1846 I. Klukowski, Mazur łazienkowski (…) grywany w balecie „Wesele w Ojcowie” na fortepian, published in Warsaw ca. 1850 R. Friedlein, Krakowiaki i mazury z baletu „ Wesele w Ojcowie” na fortepian, published in Paris [1857] Lemercier.
preserved in the WTM Library in exceptions, in a piano arrangement, including: Asmodea diabeł rozkochany, Dwaj złodzieje, Igraszki Kupidyna, Katarzyna córka bandyty, Korsarz, Pasquita, czyli Cyganie, Piękna dziewczyna z Gandawy, Powrót Wenery do Olimpu, Sen Dansomana, czyli Tancerze na Polach Elizejskich, Uczennice Terpsychory, Wiesław i Wanda
Vocal-instrumental:
religious:
14 masses to Latin and Polish texts preserved, manuscripts in the WTM Library, two with text by K. Brodziński published
Msza Pasterska for 3 voices solo, organs obbligato, flute and horn ad libitum
Mass in F major for 3 voices solo, 2 violins, cello and double bass/organ, published in «Chwała Na Wysokości» No. 4 and 5, Warsaw ca. 1880 F. Hoesick
Funeral Mass in A minor for 3 voices solo and organ, published in Warsaw 1882 Gebethner&Wolff
Requiem in C minor for 3-voice male choir and organ, in Polish transl. by M. Molski, autograph of the score in the WTM Library, manuscript in the Archives of the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa
In te Domine speravi, for voice and orchestra, manuscript in the Archives of the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa
Te Deum for 3 voices solo, 2 violins, cello and organ with Polish text and Veni Creator for 3 voices solo, 2 violins, cello and organ with Polish text, published in «Chwała Na Wysokości» No. 6, Warsaw 1903 F. Hoesick
Te Deum for choir and orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Veni Creator for choir and orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Salve Regina in B-flat major for male choir and organ, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Stabat Mater in F minor for 3 voices solo, choir and orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Stabat Mater in G minor for 3 voices solo, choir, wind orchestra and harp, fragment of the autograph of the score in WTM Library
funeral marches for various ensembles, including:
March in B-flat minor for 3-voice male choir and orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
March in D minor for 3 male voices and trombone ad libitum, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Funeral March in C minor for orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Funeral March for a friend’s death, autograph of the score in WTM Library
cantatas, songs, hymn, including Hymn to St. Cecilia for voice and piano, published in “Ruch Muzyczny” 1858 No. 47
secular:
occasional cantatas, ca. 40 songs for voice and piano, some accompanied by violin and cello
Instrumental:
for orchestra and chamber ensembles:
dances (mazurkas, contradances, krakowiaks, polkas), marches
Concertino in C major “Noc i poranek w obozie” for trumpet and orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Divertissement for orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Nouveau divertissement, for orchestra, autograph of the score in WTM Library
Suites [piano quartet] for violin, viola, cello and piano, autograph in WTM Library
String Quartet in E-flat major, autograph of the score in WTM Library
piano pieces, including:
Rondoletto on a theme from the opera Der Freischütz by C.M. von Weber for piano Warsaw 1826
numerous mazurkas, polonaises, contradances, quadrilles, polkas, galops, waltzes, marches, including Funeral march in memory of those who died on 27 February 1861, autograph in WTM Library and March in C minor, autograph in WTM Library
arrangements for piano of his own compositions and pieces by other composers (including by Jan Stefani), originally composed for larger ensembles, e.g. excerpts from operas and ballets, e.g. Opera Krakowiacy i Górale [by Jan Stefani] for pianoforte, published in Warsaw 1823 A. Brzezina
Educational, including:
8 dwuśpiewów dla poczynających naukę śpiewu na 2 głosy, published in “Ruch Muzyczny” 1859 No. 51
10 dwuśpiewów z towarzyszeniem fortepianu, part 1, for 2 voices and piano, ca. 1860, autograph in WTM Library
Początkowa szkoła na fortepian, ca. 1860, lost
Wszechstronne ćwiczenia głosowe (…) dla początkujących na sopran, tenor i fortepian, ca. 1870, autograph in WTM Library
Fraszki muzyczne napisane na fortepiano dla dzieci nie znających jeszcze klucza basowego, no year, autograph in WTM Library
Zbiór utworów na fortepian, no year, autograph in WTM Library