Krzysztof Meyer

Krzysztof Meyer (born 11 August 1943) is a Polish composer, pianist, and music scholar, formerly dean of the Department of Music Theory (1972–1975) at the State College of Music (now Academy of Music in Kraków), and president of the Union of Polish Composers (1985–1989). Meyer was professor of composition at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne from 1987 to 2008, before his retirement.
Biography
Meyer was born in Kraków, Poland. As a boy he played piano and organ, and he began his composition study early – in 1954, with Stanisław Wiechowicz. Then, at the State College of Music in Kraków, he continued studying with Wiechowicz, and after the latter's death in 1963, did his diploma with Krzysztof Penderecki (1965). He also studied music theory (diploma in 1966). In Paris, he took courses with Nadia Boulanger (1964, 1966 and 1968) and, in Warsaw, he became a private pupil of Witold Lutosławski.
His Symphony No. 1 was his first work to be performed, in Kraków in 1964. In 1965, while still a student, he made his debut at the "Warsaw Autumn", as the youngest composer in the festival's history (String Quartet No. 1). He was fascinated with the avant-garde, not only as a composer: from 1965 to 1967, as a member of MW2 Ensemble, he performed experimental pieces, typical for the 1960s, in Poland and in some West European countries. Later, he continued to be active as a pianist, performing mostly his own works, or playing chamber music.
From 1966 to 1987, Meyer taught theory at the State College of Music (now Academy of Music in Kraków), holding the chairmanship of the Department of Music Theory from 1972 to 1975. From 1987 to 2008, he was professor of composition at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. Since 2019, he has been an honorary professor of Lviv Conservatory.
From 1985 and 1989, he was the president of the Union of Polish Composers. For 14 years (1974–1988), he took part in the work of the Repertory Committee of the "Warsaw Autumn" International Festival of Contemporary Music. He is a Fellow of Collegium Invisibile.
Music
In his early compositions (String Quartets Nos. 1–4, Symphonies Nos. 1–3), Meyer experimented with unconventional sonorities, typical of the Polish avant-garde music in the 1960s. He used twelve-tone technique, albeit freely, as well as aleatoric technique and collage. All of these appear in his first opera, Cyberiada, to a science-fiction libretto after Stanisław Lem's The Cyberiad.
In later works, Meyer gradually limited the multitude of sonic ideas. He increasingly focussed on the drama and expression as understood in a traditional way although avoiding romantic effects. The style of Meyer's later works reflects his interest in tradition; even his use of titles such as "string quartet", "sonata", "concerto", "symphony" are indicators of the traditional trend in his aesthetic. "There are contemporary textures and timbres, but they are usually incidental to a language in which tonal pulls and familiar signposts govern the overall flow and structure."
Chamber music occupies a privileged place in his output. "What is attractive to him in such pieces is the fact that they are perfect to create 'sonic puzzles', referring to the 'hidden arithmetic exercise of the soul, which does not know that it is counting', as Leibnitz described the essence of music. Examples of these are the variation of the tempi in String Quartet No. 11 or the changes of rhythm in String Quartet No. 10. Some pieces for large ensembles can be listened to as a musical commentary to a political event or existential reflection. These topics are hinted at by the subtitles and quotations ('Polish' Symphony No. 6, referring to the atmosphere of martial law in Poland from 1981 to 1983) or the use of the text (Symphony No. 8, with the lyrics of the anti-antisemitic poems by Adam Zagajewski). The catastrophic message of the oratorio The Creation of the World is told through the text but its expression is achieved through the music."
Selected awards
First Prize for Symphony No. 3 (1968) at the Grzegorz Fitelberg Composers' Competition
Prix de Composition Musicale of the Prince Pierre de Monaco Foundation for opera Cyberiada (1970)
Special Mention at Tribune Internationale des Compositeurs UNESCO in Paris for String Quartet No. 2 (1970) and String Quartet No. 3 (1976)
First Prize at the Karol Szymanowski Competition in Warsaw for Symphony No. 4
Herder Prize (Vienna, 1984)
Award of the Union of Polish Composers (1992)
Jurzykowski Prize (New York, 1993)
Johann-Stamitz-Preis (Mannheim, 1996)
Selected works
Stage works
Cyberiada. Fantastic Comic Opera, Op. 15 (1970). Libretto by the composer, based upon Stanisław Lem's series of short stories, The Cyberiad.
The Countess [Hrabina]. Ballet on the motives from Stanisław Moniuszko's opera, Op. 49 (1980)
The Gamblers [Igroki]. A Completed Version of Dmitri Shostakovich's opera after N. Gogol, Op. 53 (1981) (soloists of the "Bolshoi" in Moscow, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Michail Jurowski, Capriccio 60 062-2)
The Maple Brothers [Klonowi bracia]. Children Opera, Op. 72 (1989). Libretto by the composer after E. Szwartz
Works for orchestra
9 symphonies:
No. 1, Op. 10 (1964)
No. 2 Epitaphium Stanisław Wiechowicz in memoriam for choir and orchestra, Op. 14 (1967)
No. 3 Symphonie d'Orphée for choir and orchestra, Op. 20 (1968)
No. 4, Op. 31 (1973)
No. 5, Op. 44 (1979)
No. 6 "Polish" Symphony, Op. 57 (1982) (Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, A. Wit, ISPV 179 CD)
No. 7 Sinfonia del tempo che passa, Op. 97 (2002–2003) (NOSPR, G. Chmura; DUX 0695)
No. 8 Sinfonia da requiem, Op. 111 (2009)
No. 9 Fidae speique Sinfonia, Op. 126 (2016)
Fireballs, Op. 37 (1976) (Silesian Philharmonic, Karol Stryja, Polish Information Center 007)
Symphony in D major in Mozartean style, Op. 41 (1976)
Hommage à Johannes Brahms, Op. 59 (1982) (Kölner-Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, A. Wit, KOCH 3-5037-2)
Musica incrostata, Op. 70 (1988) (WOSPRiT, A. Wit, Koch Schwann 3-1573-2)
Farewell Music, Op. 88 (1997)
Works for solo instrument(s) and orchestra
2 Flute concertos
No. 1, Op. 6 (1964)
No. 2, Op. 61 (1983)
2 Violin concertos
No. 1, Op. 12 (1965) (R. Lasocki, WOSPRiT, K. Stryja, Olympia OCD 323)
No. 2, Op. 87 (1996) (M. Rezler, NOSPR, G. Chmura, DUX 0594)
2 Cello concertos
No. 1, Op. 28 (1972)(withdrawn)
No. 2, Op. 85 (1995)(B. Pergamenschikov, NOSPR, A. Wit, DUX 0594)
Concerto da camera for oboe, percussion and strings, Op. 29 (1972)
Concerto for trumpet and orchestra, Op. 35 (1973)
Concerto for piano, Op. 46 (1989) (Pavel Gililov, WOSPRiT, Antoni Wit, Koch Schwann 3-1573-2)
Canti Amadei per violoncello ed orchestra, Op. 63 (1984) (I. Monighetti, Capella Cracoviensis, S. Gałoński, ISPV 179 CD)
Concerto da camera for harp, cello and string orchestra, Op. 64 (1984) (B. Trendowicz, K. Jaroszewska, Chamber Orchestra Amadeus, A. Duczmal; PR CD 085-2)
Caro Luigi per 4 violoncelli ed orchestra d'archi, Op. 73 (1989)
Concerto for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Op. 79 (1992) (John-Edward Kelly NEOS )
Concerto for clarinet and orchestra, Op. 96 (2001) (E. Brunner, NOSPR, G. Chmura, DUX 0594)
Double concerto for violin, violoncello and orchestra, Op. 105 (2006) (M. Rezler, Julius Berger, Ł. Borowicz, NOSPR; DUX 0695)
Concerto for (acoustic) guitar, timpani and string orchestra, Op. 115 (2011)
Vocal works
Symphony No. 2 Epitaphium Stanisław Wiechowicz in memoriam for choir and orchestra, Op. 14 (1967)
Symphony No. 3 Symphonie d'Orphée for choir and orchestra, Op. 20 (1968)
Lyric Triptych for tenor and chamber orchestra, Op. 38 (1976)
Mass for mixed choir and orchestra, Op. 68 (1996) (The National Orchestra and Choir in Warsaw, Antoni Wit, ACD 096-2)
Velichalnaya for mixed choir, Op. 71 (1988) (Polish Nightingales, Wojciech A. Krolopp, Azymuth AZ AZ CD 11.045)
Creation (Schöpfung), oratorio for soli, choir and orchestra, Op. 91 (1999)
Symphony No. 8 Sinfonia da requiem for choir and orchestra, Op. 111 (2009)
Chamber music
For two instruments
Violin and piano:
Misterioso for violin and piano, Op. 83 (1994) (A. Breuninger, I. Berger; Ars Musici AM 1204-02)
Capriccio interrotto for violin and piano, Op. 93 (2000) (A. Bayeva, G. Karyeva, PR CD 194; – R. Simovic, Z. Darhomorska, PR CD 191)
Cello and piano:
Canzona per violoncello e pianoforte, Op. 56 (1981) (D. Geringas, T. Schatz, ISPV 192 CD; – E. Mizerska, E. Abbate, TOCC 0098)
Two sonatas for cello and piano
Sonata per violoncello e pianoforte No.1, Op. 62 (1983) (- R. Korupp, K. Meyer, Ambitus 97848; – E. Mizerska, E. Abbate, TOCC 0098)
Sonata per violoncello e pianoforte No.2, Op. 99 (2004) (E. Mizerska, K. Glensk, TOCC 0098)
Other combinations:
Impromptu multicolore for two pianos, Op. 92 (2000) (A. Soós, I. Haag, MGB CTS-M 107)
Duetti concertanti for bassoon and piano, Op. 101 (2004) (K. & Etsuko Okazaki, ISPV 194 CD)
Metamorphoses for saxophone and piano, Op. 102 (2004) (J.-E. Kelly, B. Versteegh, ISPV 194)
For three instruments
Hommage à Nadia Boulanger for flute, viola and harp, Op. 17 (1971) (rec. E. Gajewska, R. Duź, H. Storck, ISPV 189 CD)
Piano Trio, Op. 50 (1980) (Trio Wawelskie, ISPV 176 CD; – Arcadia Trio, Bella Musica 31.2415; – Altenberg Trio, Challenge classic 72310)
Trio for flute, viola and guitar, Op. 78 (1992) (R. Aitken, E. Schloifer, R. Evers; ISPV 176 CD)
String Trio, Op. 81 (1993) (Deutsches Streichtrio; ISPV 176 CD; – T. Gadzina, R. Duź, M. Wasiółka; Acte Préalable AP0146)
Trio for clarinet, violin and piano, Op. 90 (1998) (E. Brunner, I. Monighetti, P. Gililov; ISPV 189 CD)
Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano, Op. 98 (2002) (Tomohara Yosiba, Koji and Etsuko Okazaki, ISPV 194)
For four instruments
15 String Quartets
No. 1, Op. 8 (1963)
No. 2, Op. 23 (1969)
No. 3, Op. 27 (1971)
No. 4, Op. 33 (1974)
No. 5, Op. 42 (1977)
No. 6, Op. 51 (1981)
No. 7, Op. 65 (1985)
No. 8, Op. 67 (1985)
No. 9, Op. 74 (1990)
No. 10, Op. 82 (1994)
No. 11, Op. 95 (2001)
No. 12, Op. 103 (2005)
No. 13, Op. 113 (2010)
No. 14, Op. 122 (2014)
No. 15, Op. 131 (2017)
Quattro colori for clarinet, trombone, 'cello and piano, Op. 24 (1970)
Concerto retro for flute, violin, violoncello and harpsichord, Op. 39 (1976) (E. Gajewska, T. Gadzina, M. Wasiółka, K. Meyer, Acte Préalable AP0076)
Piano Quartet, Op. 112 (2009)
For five or more instruments
Clarinet Quintet, Op. 66 (1986) (E. Brunner, Wilanow String Quartet, ISPV 147 CD; – P. Drobnik, Kwartet Wieniawski; Dux 0507/0508)
Capriccio per sei strumenti, Op. 69 (1988) (E. Gajewska, T. Gadzina, R. Duź, M. Wasiółka, ISPV 189 CD)
Piano Quintet, Op. 76 (1991) (Wilanow String Quartet & K. Meyer; ISPV 171 CD; – Wieniawski Quartet & Andrzej Tatarski; Dux 0507/0508)
Cinque colori for flute, violin, violoncello, percussion and piano, Op. 94 (2001)
Instrumental music
For piano solo
6 Sonatas for Piano (Complete Piano Works - Christian Seibert, EDA 36)
No. 1, Op. 5 (1962) (K. Meyer, Acte Préalable AP0076)
No. 2, Op. 7 (1963) (B. Otto, Sächsische Tonträger LC 9930)
No. 3, Op. 13 (1966)
No. 4, Op. 22 (1968)
No. 5 Sonata de sons rayonnants, Op. 32 (1975/1997)
No. 6 Sonate breve, Op. 106 (2006)
24 Preludes for piano, Op. 43 (1978) (K. Meyer, ISPV CD 174; – P. Kubica, SMS RP 12691 CD )
Quasi una Fantasia for piano, Op. 104 (2005)
6 intermezzi for piano, Op. 121 (2013)
For other keyboards
Sonata for harpsichord, Op. 30 (1973) (E. Chojnacka, ERATO Japan CD 056044
Fantasy for organ, Op. 75 (1990) (S. Palm; KR 10068)
For violin solo
2 Violin sonatas
No. 1, Op. 36 (1975) (W. Marschner, ISPC 192 CD)
No. 2, Op. 113 (2018)
Other works:
6 Preludes for violin solo (1981) [no opus number]
For cello solo
Two Sonatas for Cello
No. 1, Op. 1 (1961) (R. Korupp, CD Ambitus 97484)
No. 2, Op. 109 (2007)
Moment musical (1976) [no opus number]
Monologue (1990) (D. Geringas; ConBrioDisc ConBES 2019) [no opus number]
For flute solo
Sonata per flauti soli, Op. 52 (1980) (E. Gajewska, Acte Préalable AP0076; – B.-G. Schmitt, ISPV 194 CD)
Essays and professional writings
Krzysztof Meyer, Schostakowitsch – Sein Leben, sein Werk, seine Zeit, Bergisch Gladbach 1995; also: Paris 1994, Amsterdam 1996, Madrid 1997, St Petersburg 1998, Warsaw 1999, Moscow 2006, Mainz 2008. [Orig. in Polish 1973.]
Krzysztof Meyer, Witold Lutosławski (with Danuta Gwizdalanka), Cracow 2003 (vol. 1), 2004 (vol. 2)
Krzysztof Meyer, Dmitri Schostakowitch. Erfahrungen, Leipzig 1983
Krzysztof Meyer, Prokofjew und Schostakowitsch, in: Bericht über das internationale Symposion "Sergej Prokofjew – Aspekte seines Werkes und der Biographie", Regensburg 1993, pp. 111–133
Krzysztof Meyer, Analyse musikalischer Form in psychologischer Hinsicht, in: Musikpädagogik als Aufgabe, Kassel 2003
and numerous articles published in Poland and abroad.
References
External links
Krzysztof Meyer at culture.pl
Krzysztof Meyer bio at Sikorski.de
Krzysztof Meyer: Portrait, Catalogue of works, Discography 2015
Literature
B. M. Maciejewski: 12 Polish Composers. Allegro Press. London, 1976, p. 202-206.
L. Rappoport-Gelfand: Musical Life in Poland. The Postwar Years 1945-1977. Gordon & Breach, New York etc. 1991, p. 133-141.
1943 births
Living people
Alumni of the Academy of Music in Kraków
Academic staff of the Academy of Music in Kraków
Musicians from Kraków
Polish classical composers
Polish male classical composers
20th-century classical composers
Recipients of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Fellows of Collegium Invisibile
Academic staff of the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln
Herder Prize recipients
20th-century male musicians
Recipient of the Meritorious Activist of Culture badge
Academic staff of Lviv Conservatory