Roman Maciejewski

Roman Maciejewski (b. February 28, 1910 in Berlin, Germany, d. April 30, 1998 in Göteborg, Sweden), Polish composer.

Studied in Julius Stern Conservatorium in Berlin, later with Stanisław Wiechowicz and Kazimierz Sikorski in Poznań Conservatory, then continued with Kazimierz Sikorski in Warsaw Conservatory. In his early years highly acclaimed by Karol Szymanowski. In 1934 went to Paris, to study with Nadia Boulanger. Never returned to his native Poland, staying in various countries abroad: France (till 1938), United Kingdom (1938-1939), Sweden (1939-1951), USA (1951-1977) and again Sweden (1977-98).

At first he composed inspired by Karol Szymanowski's late style (Mazurkas for piano, "Kurpian Songs" for choir). The tragedy of the second world war, and also his very serious illness during his first stay in Sweden, caused a deep change in composer's personality, that has greatly affected his music. From then on he devoted his life to creation of his opus magnum: a great funeral mass dedicated to the victims of wars, crimes and tyranny of all times. Thus during the years of 1945-1959 "Missa pro defunctis. Requiem" was completed. The premiere of the work took place in 1960 in Warsaw, during the 4th Warsaw Autumn music festival.

Works

* app. 60 Mazurkas for piano
* "Kurpian Songs" - for choir a cappella (1929)
* "The Songs of Bilitis" (words by Pierre Louÿs, trans. by Leopold Staff) - for soprano & orch. (1935)
* "Concerto for 2 pianos" (1936)
* "Berceuse and Allegro concertante" - for piano & orch. (1944)
* "Missa pro defunctis. Requiem" - for 4 solo voices, choir & orch. (1945-59)
* "Nocturne" - for flute, celesta & guitar (1952)
* "Missa brevis" - for choir & organ (1964)
* "Mass of the Resurrection" - for choir & organ (1966)
* also chamber, piano and other pieces; theatrical music for the plays directed by Ingmar Bergman