MARTA PTASZYNSKA
MARTA PTASZYNSKA
Marta Ptaszynska, an internationally acclaimed composer, born in Warsaw, Poland and since 1972 living in the United States, has been enjoying a many-faceted career as a composer, percussionist, and a teacher. She is the author of such well-known works as the Concerto for Marimba, Winter’s Tale, Sonnets to Orpheus, and Moon Flowers, as well as numerous composition for percussion (Siderals, Graffito, Spider Walk, Space Model, Letter to the Sun) which have been performed often around the world. Ptaszynska has received commissions from orchestras including Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Polish Chamber Orchestra, W. Lutoslawski’s Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonia Varsovia, from the National Opera in Warsaw in Poland, from the Polish Television, and from artists such as contralto Ewa Podles, marimba virtuoso Keiko Abe, and percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Her television opera Oscar of Alva, produced by the Cracow Television, received both audience and critical acclaim at the International Festival in Salzburg in 1989. Her opera for children, Mister Marimba, which has been in the repertory of the National Opera in Warsaw since 1998, has enjoyed phenomenal success and popularity for seven consecutive seasons with 114 performances.
Her Holocaust Memorial Cantata gained international recognition when performed several times in 1993 under the baton of Lord Yehudi Menuhin.
Marta Ptaszynska has been honored with many prizes and awards, including the 2006 Benjamin H.Danks Award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Fromm Music Foundation Award, Alfred Jurzykowski Award in New York, multiple ASCAP Awards, the Award at the International Rostrum of Composers at the UNESCO in Paris, awards from the Percussive Arts Society, and from the Union of Polish Composer. In 1995, she received the “Officer Cross of Merit” of the Republic of Poland.
Her music has been performed at prestigious international festivals, including ISCM World Music Days, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, the Salzburg Festival, the Warsaw Autumn International Festival, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Gulbenkian Foundation New Music Festival, the Prix Futura in Berlin, and many others.
In her native Poland, Ptaszynska studied composition at the Academies of Music, both, in Warsaw and in Poznan. Also, she worked privately with Witold Lutoslawski, who later became her mentor. As a French Government ‘s grant recipient, she studied in the early seventies with Nadia Boulanger and attended Olivier Messiaen’s analysis classes at the Paris Conservatory. In 1974, she received an Artist Diploma Degree in Percussion Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, where she worked with Cloyd Duff, Richard Weiner, and Donald Erb. Widely acclaimed as a virtuoso percussionist, for several decades she has performed extensively as a soloist percussionist, and has participated in many European and American festivals.
Her distinguished career as a composition teacher includes professorships at Bennington College in Vermont, the University of California in Berkeley and in Santa Barbara, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Indiana University in Bloomington, and Northwestern University in Evanston. In 1998, Ptaszynska was appointed a Professor of Music and in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. Since 2005 she holds an endowed chair and is a Helen & Frank Sulzberger Professor of Composition.
Ptaszynska’s commissions include the work Fanfare Peace for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra centennial, the opera for children Mister Marimba for the National Opera in Warsaw, Poland, orchestral work Inverted Mountain for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Winter’s Tale for the Polish Chamber Orchestra, Moon Flowers for BBC in England, a percussion work Linear Constructions In Space for Sudwestdeutsche Rundfunk in Baden-Baden in Germany, Drum of Orfeo - Concerto for Percussion for Evelyn Glennie, Mosaics for Pacifica String Quartet, Four Portraits for the Wilanov String Quartet, the arrangement of Lutoslawski's Paganini Variations for Safri Duo, Silver Echoes for the Kosciuszko Foundation's 75th Anniversary, Scherzo di Fantasia for International Women's Brass Conference, Sinfonia Wratislavia for the 50th anniversary of the W. Lutoslawski Symphony Orchestra and many others.
As a percussionist she has been performing extensively as a soloist and a chamber player, and has participated in many European and American festivals. Many compositions for percussion were written and dedicated to her. In 1986 she co-founded the International Percussion Workshops in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
She often serves as a judge at international and national competitions for composers and percussionists, such as the International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva, Switzerland, K. Serocki International Composers Contest in Warsaw, ASCAP Composers Contest in New York, PAS Composition Contests, and K. Penderecki's International Contest for Contemporary Music in Cracow, Poland.
In 1965-70 Ptaszynska was a president of the Circle of Young Composers of the Union of Polish Composers in Poland. Also, in the years 1981-84 she served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) in the U.S. In 1991 she co-founded and for several years was vice president of the American Society of Polish Music in New York. Currently she is a member of ASCAP, the Percussive Arts Society, and the Polish Music Reference Center in Los Angeles, and serves on the board of the International Alliance of Women Composers.
As an artistic adviser, she arranged the music program of two Polish music festivals which took place at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center in New York in 1994 and 1996.
Her music is published by PWM (Polish Music Publications) in Poland and by Theodore Presser in the U.S., also by the Fallen Leaf Press in Berkeley, CA and B. Willson Publishing Co. in New York. Her works are recorded on Muza Polish Records, Olympia, Chandos, ProViva, Bayers Records, DUX, and Polygram-CD Accord labels.
In 2002 Polish Music Publications in Cracow, Poland released a book about her music entitled Music –The Most Perfect Language, Conversations With Marta Ptaszynska.
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Ajikan: Unfolding Light for Flute and Percussion (1989)
Available From Fallen Leaf Press (Berkeley, CA)
Arabesque for Harp (1972)
Available From Author's Agency Publications (Warsaw, Poland)
Cadenza for Flute and Percussion (11 players) (1972) -- 9'
Published: #554-00698
Additional Information: Dedicated to Mojemu Bratu.
Classical Variations for Timpani and String Quartet (1976) -- 12'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Additional Information: 1976 Award at the Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest
Dream Lands, Magic Spaces for Violin, Piano and Six Percussionists (1979) -- 24'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: November 13, 1980, San Francisco Conservatory Percussion Ensemble, Daniel Kobialka, violin, Barry Jekowsky, conductor, Percussive Arts, Society International Conference, San Jose, CA
Additional Information: Dedicated to the memory of the composer’s father, Juliusz Ptaszynski.
• Recordings
• Reviews
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#496-00017)
Elegy in memoriam John Paul II -- 7'
Solo Viola
Premiere Information: May 9, 2005, Reykjavik, Iceland, Michael Hall, viola
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Four Portraits for String Quartet (1994) -- 15'
Commission Information: Written for the Wilanow String Quartet
Premiere Information: April 22, 1994, Bruno Walter Auditorium, Lincoln Center, New York
Available From Composer
Four Preludes for Vibraphone and Piano (1965) -- 8'
Published: #494-01859
Four Seasons for Four Hands Twelve Pieces for Piano, 4 Hands
Available From Edward B. Marks Music Publications (New York, NY)
Graffito for Marimba (1988) -- 12'
Published: #114-40536
Premiere Information: European Percussion Congress, Tubingen, Germany
• Recordings
Hommage à I.J. Paderewski for Piano
Available From Fallen Leaf Press (Berkeley, CA)
Jeu-Parti for Harp and Vibraphone (1970) -- 8'
Available From Music for Percussion
Letter to the Sun for Narrator and Percussion
Available From Composer
Linear Constructions in Space for Percussion Sextet (1997-98)
Published: #544-01012
Premiere Information: June 1, 1998, Bodensee Festival, Freiburg Percussion Ensemble, F. Lang, conductor
Little Mosaic for Percussion Ensemble
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Madrigals "Canticum Sonarum," Igor Stravinsky in Memoriam for Woodwind and String Quartets, Trumpet, Trombone and Gong (1971)
Available From Author's Agency Publications (Warsaw, Poland)
Mancala for Two Violins (1997) -- 8'
Published: #514-05180
Commission Information: Written for Hanna Lachert, violinist of the New York Philharmonic.
Premiere Information: April, 1997, Bruno Walter Auditorium, Lincoln Center, New York
Additional Information: Dedicated to Hannie Lachert.
Miniatures 14 Miniatures for Piano
Available From Edward B. Marks Music Publications (New York, NY)
Mobile for Two Percussionists (1975) -- 10-30'
Published: #114-40620
Premiere Information: November 10, 1976, Louis Calabro and Marta Ptaszynska, percussionists; Bennington College, Vermont
Additional Information: Dedicated to Andrew.
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#114-40620S)
Moon Flowers for Cello and Piano (1986) -- 9'
Published: #514-01202
Commission Information: BBC in Bristol for R. Jablonski (cello) and K. Borucinska (piano)
Premiere Information: Broadcast: May 14, 1986, BBC, England. Live Performance: September 27, 1986, 29th International Festival "Warsaw Autumn" Poland. Fallen Leaf Press, Berkeley, CA
Additional Information: Dedicated to written for Roman Jablonski and Krystyna Borucinska.
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Mosaics for String Quartet (2002) -- 15'
Commission Information: Caramoor International Music Festival, New York, for the Pacifica String Quartet
Premiere Information: July 26, 2002, the Caramoor International Music Festival, New York, Pacifica String Quartet
Additional Information: dedicated to Pacifica String Quartet
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Olympian Rings for soprano steel drum (1997-1998) -- 7'
Commission Information: commissioned and dedicated to Joe Moxon
Premiere Information: November 4, 1998, Orlando, USA Percussive Arts Society International Convention
Ostinato for Piano (1967) -- 5'
Premiere Information: September 21, 1968, Warsaw, Poland, Warsaw Autumn Festival, Barbara Topolnicka.
Available From Fallen Leaf Press, Berkeley, USA
Passacaglia and Fugue for Organ and 2 Percussion Groups (1968)
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)• Reviews
Pianophonia for piano solo (2004-2005) -- 10'
Commission Information: Chicago Symphony Orchestra for MUSIC NOW
Premiere Information: Feb. 16th, 2005, Chicago, Music Now CSO, Amy Dissanayake, piano
• Reviews
Poetic Impressions for Wind Quintet and Piano (1991) -- 20'
Not yet released (in prep: #114-40637)
Commission Information: Warsaw Wind Quintet
• Recordings
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40637P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40637S)
Recitativo, Arioso and Toccata for Violin (1969)
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)Movements:
• 1. Recitativo
• 2. Arioso
• 3. Toccata
Scherzo for Xylophone and Piano (1967) -- 4'
Published: #494-01858
Scherzo di Fantasia for Euphonium and Piano
Available From Composer
Scintilla for Two Marimbas (1984)
Available From Author's Agency Publications (Warsaw, Poland)
Siderals for Two Percussion Quintets and Optional Light Projection (1974) -- 22'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: University of Illinois Percussion Ensemble
Premiere Information: University of Illinois Percussion Ensemble, Thomas Siwe, conductor, 1974
Additional Information: 1974 Percussive Arts Society Award. Dedicated to Thomas Siwe.
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• Reviews
Six Bagatelles for Harp (1979) -- 9'
Published: #114-40550
Sogno D'euridice for Two Harps (2001) -- 6'
Premiere Information: September 21, 2001, Cracow, Poland, V International Krzysztof Penderecki Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music, Elzbieta Baklarz and Malwina Lipiec, harp duo
Space Model for Percussion (1971-75) -- 12'
Published: #114-40634
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• Reviews
Spider Walk for Solo Percussion (1993) -- 7'
Published: #114-40734
Commission Information: Written for Stanislaw Skoczynski.
Premiere Information: November 10, 1993, Stanislaw Skoczynski at the PASIC Convention, Columbus, OH
• Recordings
Stress for Percussion and Tape (1972) -- 4'
Available From Morris Lang Percussion (New York, NY)
Synchromy for Percussion Trio (1978) -- 10'
Available From Composer
The Last Waltz in Vienna for accordion trio (2001) -- 8'
Premiere Information: February 25, 2001, Roterdam, Holland, Gaudeamus Music Festival, Motion Trio
Additional Information: written and dedicated to Motion Trio
Three Interludes for Two Pianos
Additional Information: Dedicated to Mojej Matce.
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)Movements:
• 1. Interludium I
• 2. Interludium II
• 3. Interludium III
Touracou for Harpsichord (1974) -- 5'
Published: #510-03428
Trois Visions De L'Arc-En-Ciel (Three Visions on a Rainbow) for chamber ensemble (2008) -- 14'
Cl. Vln. Vla. Vcl. Pno. Perc.
Premiere Information: October 4th, 2008, Chicago, Messiaen Festival at the University of Chicago, Eighth Blackbird Group.
Additional Information: dedicated to the Eighth Blackbird Group
Two Poems for Tuba Solo (1973-75) -- 7'
Published: #494-01860
Additional Information: Dedicated to Ronald Bishop.
Movements:
• 1. Poezja I
• 2. Poezja II
Variations for Flute (1967) -- 6'
Published: #494-01857
Variations for Flute (1967)
Published: #524-03091
Premiere Information: November 25, 1968, Warsaw, Poland, A. Zoladkiewicz, flute
Quodlibet for Double-Bass and Prerecorded Tape (1976)
Additional Information: Dedicated to Betram Turetzky.
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Soiree Snobe Chez la Princesse Instrumental Theatre for Two Keyboard Instruments, Pre-recorded Tape, Mimes and Lighting (1979) -- 15'
Commission Information: Annette Sachs and Piotr Lachert
Premiere Information: Annette Sachs and Piotr Lachert, Theatre European de Musique Vivante, I.J. Belgium
Available From Composer
Colourful World of Percussion (1978)
Published: #544-00527
Additional Information: A book for percussion training in 5 volumes.
Co-author: Barbara Niewiadomska
Journeys Into Space a Set of 19 Miniatures for Piano in Two Volumes (1978)
Movements:
• 1. Przed odlotem
• 10. Sciezki w kosmosie
• 11. Dookola Slonca
• 2. Przygody w kosmosie
• 3. Zacmienie slonca
• 4. Zabawa w przestrzeni
• 5. Rakieta na ksiezyc
• 6. Klaster gwiazd
• 7. Krazace planety
• 8. Warkocz Bereniki
• 9. Tajemnicza planeta
Movements:
• 1. Widok Ziemi
• 2. Na Ksiezycu
• 3. Spotkanie z kometa
• 4. Spacer Droga Mleczna
• 5. Goscie w kosmosie
• 6. Chwila w przestrzeni
• 7. Sygnaly
• 8. Wsród gwiazd
Little Mexican Fantasia for Percussion (7) and Piano (1971) -- 4'
Published: #544-00470
Additional Information: Arrangement of a Mexican folk tune.
Magiczny Doremik (Magic Doremik) opera for young audiences (2006-2007) -- 90'
7 soloists, chamber orchestra: 1 1 1 1 – 1 1 0 0 ; 2Perc. Cel. or Pno. Str.
Premiere Information: January 18, 2008, Warsaw, Poland, National Opera soloists, ballet, and orchestra, Iwona Sowinska, conductor
Additional Information: Libretto by composer after Gianni Rodari story entitled Gelsomino in the Country of Liars
Polish text, available also in German translation
Mister Marimba Children's Opera in Three Acts for Soloists, Children’s Choir, and Orchestra
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Music of Five Steps a Set of Seven Miniatures for Two Flutes and Percussion Ensemble (1979) -- 19'
Commission Information: International Society for Musical Education
Premiere Information: July 12, 1980 by the pupils of E. Mlynarski Elementary School of Music in Warsaw, Poland during the XIV World Congress of ISME
Available From Author's Agency Publications (Warsaw, Poland)
Musical Alphabet for Two Pianos a Set of 22 pieces, mainly dances from A to Z (1985-86)
Published: #510-03519
Additional Information: Dedicated to Marii Rochonskiej.
Movements:
• 1. Allemande
• 10. Jota
• 11. Krakowiak
• 12. Lendler
• 13. Mazurek
• 14. Nokturn
• 15. Oberek
• 16. Polonez
• 17. Ragtime
• 18. Sarabanda
• 19. Tarantela
• 2. Bourree
• 20. Unison
• 21. Walc
• 22. Zapateado
• 3. Courante
• 4. Alla danza
• 5. Ecossaise
• 6. Fundango
• 7. Gawot
• 8. Hopak
• 9. Interludium
Pan Marimba children’s opera in two acts (chamber version)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Silver Threads and Other Songs for Children for Solo Voice, Choir, Piano and Children's Percussion Instruments (1986)
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Suite Variee for Four Percussion and Piano (1965) -- 4'
Tunes from Many Countries of the World Children’s Songs Arranged for Percussion and Instruments
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Awakening Birds Concerto for Percussion and Wind Orchestra (2003) -- 18'
Perc. Solo, 3 3 3 2 – 4 3 3 1; Perc. Cb.
Commission Information: Northwestern University and written for Michael Burritt
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra "Charlie's Dream" (1988) -- 18'
2 2 2 2 - 2 2 0 0; 2Perc. Str. Solo Alto and Tenor Sax
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: June 26, 1997, Marko Letonja, Festival European Cultural Month, Lubljana, Slovenia
Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra (2007-2008) -- 18'
Solo Flute, Solo Harp, 1 1 1 1 – 2 1 0 0; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: International Harp Society
Premiere Information: May 18, 2008, Katowice, Jadwiga Kotnowska-flute, Anna Olek-harp, National Polish Orchestra NOSPR
Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra (1986) -- 30'
2-2-2-3; 4-3-3-1; 4Perc., Hp., Str., Solo Marim.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Zielona Gora Symphony Orchestra and Szymon Kawalla, conductor
Premiere Information: January 17, 1986, Zielona Gora Symphony Orchestra, Szymon Kawalla, conductor, Stanislaw Skoczynski, soloist
Additional Information: Dedicated to for Keiko Abe.
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• Reviews
Available Separately:Solo Part with Piano Reduction (#544-00473)
Full Score - Large (#576-01548)
Concerto for Percussion Quartet and Orchestra (1974) -- 13'
2-2-2-2; 4-3-3-1; Perc. Solo(4), Pno., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Sage City (Vermont) Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: October 10, 1974, Sage City Symphony, Louis Calabro, conductor
• Reviews
Concerto Grosso for Two Solo Violins and Chamber Orchestra (1996) -- 12'
2-2-2-2; 0-0-0-0/1; 2Perc., Str.; 2 Vln. Soli
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Written as "a birthday present for Lord Yehudi Menuhin."
Premiere Information: January 26, 1997, Sinfonia Varsovia and Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Warsaw, Poland
Available Separately:Full Score - Study (#416-41172)
Full Score - Mini (#554-02335)
Score and parts (#554-02336)
Score and parts (#576-00731)
Conductus - A Ceremonial for Winds for Symphonic Band (1982) -- 4'
Premiere Information: 1983, Chicago Symphonic Wind
Available From Composer
Crystallites for Symphony Orchestra (1973-74) -- 14'
4-3-3-1; 3+1; 4-4-4-1; 5Perc., 2Hp., Pno., Str. (16-14-10-10-8)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Kosciuszko Foundation of New York
Premiere Information: January 24, 1975, Pomeranian Philharmonic Orchestra, Bydgoszcz, Poland, Antoni Wit, conductor
Drum of Orfeo Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (1999-2002) -- 20'
Percussion solo; 2 2 2 2 – 2 2 2 0; Hp. Cel. Str.
Additional Information: written for and dedicated to Evelyn Glennie
Available From Composer
Fanfare for Peace for Orchestra (1993) -- 4'
3(Picc.)-2-2-3(Cbsn.); 4 4 3 1; 4Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for its centennial celebration
Premiere Information: November 18, 1994, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Jésus López-Cobos conducting
• Reviews
Fanfare in Memoriam Frederic Chopin (1999) -- 3'
Premiere Information: June 12, 1999, Chicago, the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra, Wojciech Niewzol, conductor
Additional Information: Work written for the 150th anniversary of Chopin’s death.
Available From Composer
Improvisations for Orchestra (1968) -- 8'
3-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; 5Perc., Hp., Pno., Gtr., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: March 26, 1971, Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra, Renard Czajkowski conductor
Inverted Mountain for Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: March 20, 2001, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Miquel Harth-Badoya, conductor
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
La Novella D’inverno (Winter’s Tale) for Strings (1984) -- 10'
Str. (9-4-3-1)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Jerzy Maksymiuk and the Polish Chamber Orchestra
Premiere Information: May 5, 1985, Polish Chamber Orch., Jerzy Maksymiuk, conductor, at the 9th Gulbenkian New Music Festival, Lisboa, Portugal
Additional Information: Second Prize at the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris, France, 1986.
• Recordings
• Reviews
La Novella D'Inverno for String Orchestra
Additional Information: Out of Print.
Lumen for Chamber Orchestra (2007) -- 12-15'
2 2 2 2 – 2 2 2 0; Timp. 2Perc. Hp. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Cleveland Chamber Symphony
Premiere Information: March 31, 2008, Cleveland, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, D. Smith, conductor
Ode to Praise All Famous Women for Orchestra (1992) -- 12'
2-2-2-2; 4-3-3-0; 3Perc., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Florida Space Coast Philharmonic
Premiere Information: March 22, 1992, Florida Space Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, Maria Tunicka, conductor
Spectri sonori for Symphony Orchestra (1973) -- 7'
3-2-2-3; 4-3-3-1; 5Perc., Hp., Pno., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: January 22 1974, Cleveland Orchestra, Matthias Bamert, conductor.
Additional Information: Dedicated to Dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Willard Brown.
• Reviews
Street Music for large percussion orchestra of 70 players (2008) -- 17'
Premiere Information: December 15, 2008, Poznan, Poznan Philharmonic, Slawek
Wroblewski, conductor
A Tale of Nightingales for Baritone, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Harp, Vibraphone and Marimba (1968) -- 8'
Additional Information: To the poetry of K.I. Galczynski (Polish/English).
Available From Composer
Ave Maria (1982) -- 7'
4 Men’s Voices, Brass, Perc., Org.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: S. Moniuszko Musical Society of Boston
Premiere Information: October 10, 1982, New England Conservatory New Music Ensemble, Boston Cathedral
Additional Information: 1987 revision also available.
Ave Maria for Men's Choir and Orchestra (1987) -- 7'
0-0-0-0; 4-3-3-1; 6Perc., Str., Men’s Choir
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Cracow Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra, Cracow, 1988
Additional Information: Original version (1982) also available.
Cantiones Jubliationis for Women’s Choir and Percussion -- 1995
Available From Composer
Die Sonnette An Orpheus (Sonnets to Orpheus) for Medium Voice and Chamber Orchestra (1980-81) -- 14'
1-1-1-1; 2-1-0-0; 2Perc., Hp., Str. (6-3-2-1)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: October 3, 1989, Sinfonia Varsovia, Jerzy Maksymiuk conductor, Ewa Podles, mezzo-soprano, Warsaw, Poland
Additional Information: Text: R.M. Rilke’s poems; in German. Dedicated to Juliusz Ptaszynski.
• Reviews
Distant Voices for mezzo-soprano and string quartet (1995) -- 20'
Commission Information: Kosciuszko Foundation for the 70th anniversary of the Foundation
Premiere Information: December 10, 1995, New York, the Kosciuszko Foundation, Halcyon String Quartet, Mary Henderson-Stuckey, mezzo-soprano.
Additional Information: poetry by Leslie Woolf Hedley, Donald Bogen, Krzysztof Koehler, Stanislaw Wyspianski and Lord Tennyson
Epigrams for Women’s Choir, Flute, Harp, Piano and Percussion (1976-77) -- 24'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Dorians Choir of the University of California in Santa Barbara, CA
Premiere Information: May 8, 1977, Dorians Choir, Michael Ingham, conductor, Santa Barbara, CA
Additional Information: To ancient Greek poetry; in English.
• Recordings
• Reviews
Holocaust Memorial Cantata Chant for All the people on Earth for Three Soloists, Mixed Choir and Orchestra (1992) -- 40'
2-2-2-2; 2-2-2-1; 4Perc., Hp., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Lira Singers of Chicago
Premiere Information: April 5, 1992, Lira Singers, Lucy J. Ding, conductor, Glencoe, Illinois
Additional Information: English/Hebrew/Yiddish/Polish
• Recordings
• Reviews
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#576-00714)
Hymn of the Universe for Choir & Organ (2008) -- 17'
Commission Information: Commissioned by the Rockefeller Chapel in Chicago
Premiere Information: June 9, 2008, Rockefeller Chapel, The University of
Chicago Singers, Thomas Weisflog, organ, James Kallembach,
conductor
Liquid Light for Mezzo-soprano, Piano & Percussion (1994-95) -- 18'
Published: #111-40167
Commission Information: Written for Patricia Adkins-Chiti.
Premiere Information: November 25, 1997, Patricia Adkins-Chiti, mezzo-soprano, Ian Buckle, piano, Marta Ptaszynska, percussion, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
Additional Information: To the poetry of Modene Duffy.
• Reviews
Oscar Of Alva a TV Opera in Six Scenes (1971-72)
Available From Polskie Wydawnictwo Muczyzne (Theodore Presser Co., dist.)
Polish Letters (Listy polskie) Cantata for Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Baritone, Mixed Choir and Chamber Ensemble (1988) -- 45'
1-0-1-0; 1-0-0-0; 1Perc., Pno., Str. Quartet; SATB, Sop., Mezzo, Bar. solo
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Written to commemorate Poland's Independence.
Premiere Information: July 15, 1989, Warsaw Academy of Music Chamber Choir and Ensemble, Ryszard Zimak, conductor, Royal Castle, Warsaw, Poland
Additional Information: To the poetry of Polish and other European poets; in Polish. Dedicated to Polonii.
Silver Echoes of Distant Bells for Mezzo-soprano and String Quartet (1995) -- 28'
Available From Composer
Un Grand Sommeil Noir (A Great Dark Sleep) for Soprano, Flute and Harp (1977) -- 10'
Commission Information: Jubal Trio
Premiere Information: June 22, 1979, XV Festival Pontino di Musica Contemporanea, Italy
Additional Information: French/English
• Recordings
• Reviews
Vocalise for Female Voice and Vibraphone (1971) -- 5'
Premiere Information: July 18, 1971, Cornelia van der Horst, sop., M. Ptaszynska, vibes, Eduard van Beinum Stichting, Breukelen, Holland
Available From Composer
 | Epigrams for Women’s Choir, Flute, Harp, Piano and Percussion |
Pro Viva ISPV 152:
The Dorians Choir; Michael Ingham, Phoebe Houk, Barbara Imhoff, Carolyn Horn, Marta Ptaszynska .
| Siderals for Two Percussion Quintets and Optional Light Projection |
Pro Viva No. ISPV 152.:
Roman Jablonski, cello; Krystyna Borucinska, piano
Muza Records PN LP SX2709:
Roman Jablonski, cello; Krystyna Borucinska, piano
"She is a master of colorful, fantastical moods and feelings."-Ted Shen, Chicago Reader"…without doubt [Ptaszynska] is an international composer… [she creates] a highly original concept of the sonic palette, which emphasizes the chromatic, the mosaic, and the expressive, and is achieved by various, oftentimes avant-garde, means of expression."-Zbigniew Granat (trans. Julia Rafalska)"This attribute [colorful and sensual strata of sounds and lyricism] … reveals itself in the music of Marta Ptaszynska with an intensity unlike in any other Polish contemporary composer. [She] mesmerizes the listener by the tasteful beauty of sonorous sound textures and very deep emotional lyricism… As in all of Marta Ptaszynska’s works, modernism and tradition are not the opposing forces. Rather, they intermingle and fuse in a very natural way."-Tadeusz Andrzej Zielinski (trans. Marta Ptaszynska)"Ptaszynska’s music is unique; she has the uncanny ability to compose with a variety of musical possibilities and is committed to the individuality of the final product… Her works are vastly admired for their overwhelming beauty that challenges the musical complacency of listeners... Ptaszynska’s compositions traverse a broad expressive range and provide the performer as well as the listener with a profound musical experience."-Jane Weiner LePage
" ...equally spellbinding Liquid Light for mezzo-soprano, piano and percussion, featuring the brilliance of the composer,...evoked gentle and colourful pictures of the Caribbean in a rich warm light."-Malcolm Cruise, Huddersfield
"Marta Ptaszynska gave a splendid account of her own Space Model, a piece for percussion and tape in three movements. The fascination here came from the fact that each successive movement was integrated with tape of the previous one, the layering eventually culminating in a huge structure, taut, vivid, and exciting."-Malcolm Cruise, Huddersfield
"…perhaps the first concerto for marimba ever written in the spirit of a grand classical piano concerto."-Barbara Smolenska-Zielinska, The Music Movement (Warsaw)
"The most significant was Pianophonia. [While] each of its three sections was inspired by a different 20th-century painting…one did not need to view the paintings to appreciate how beautifully Ptaszynska has translated visual images into arresting sounds…an instant classic."-John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune
"Although the piece is clearly immersed in the new sound aesthetics, the composer avoids any artificial extremism and is not afraid of employing certain selected elements of tradition. In this way, she creates an original and suggestive style in matters of timbre and the expression and mood connected with it… [she] emphasizes a new content and a new, personal sound order within traditional formal patterns."-Barbara Smolenska-Zielinska, Percussive Notes
"…a demonstration of a successfully integrated, yet novel, compositional approach. This work… has a diversity and spaciousness which is impressive. The manner in which musical actions and consequences follow upon each other in an allusive texture, effectively conveys the sense of irrationality implicit in the title."-Mark Behm, Perspectives of New Music
| Epigrams for Women’s Choir, Flute, Harp, Piano and Percussion |
"It is a powerful, strangely haunting work, written by an artist of complete integrity. Demanding unusual acoustical effects from all the performers and great technical skill, the work is particularly taxing for the singers."-Kenneth A. Brown, Santa Barbara News Press
"…It was compelling for its luminous counterpoint, echo effects and orchestral colors."-Janelle Gelfand, The Cincinnati Enquirer"Composer Marta Ptaszynska’s Fanfare for Peace, written for the CSO centennial, opened the concert with muted trumpet calls and brash harmonies worthy of Beethoven himself."-Mary Ellyn Hutton, The Cincinnati Post
"The work… crowns the Polish composer’s output in the domain of public, monumental music devoted to events and causes that she deeply cares about. The Cantata acquires a universality beyond the limits of its title. The text becomes even more dramatic and poignant in the context of Ptaszynska’s musical setting…"-Maria Anna Harley-Trochimczyk"The Cantata is a remarkable piece and has an enormous impact, a real power, which conveys the voices of the victims."-Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Polish Television interview" ...profoundly moving and ultimately inspirational work"-Anshe Chesed, Fairmount Bulletin (Cleveland)"Listening to Holocaust Memorial Cantata was a shattering experience. I had difficulty sleeping that evening because the music, the words, and the form kept repeating in my head. I was a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. I have visited the Holocaust sites in Europe, I have been to Yad V’shem in Israel about twenty times, I have taught large Holocaust classes, written articles on the Holocaust, but I have never had such an experience as this. It was the finest interpretation of the Holocaust I have ever experienced. It shall be with me all my life."-Rabbi Bernard S. Raskas (Temple of Aaron, St. Paul)
| Siderals for Two Percussion Quintets and Optional Light Projection |
"…a gigantic show-piece for percussion."-Brigitta Huldt, Svensha Dagbladet (Stockholm)"…a tremendous score both in its physical dimensions and its sonorities. Some aspects of it evoked memories from when I was working with Varese on Ionisation."-Nicolas Slonimsky, Los Angeles
"Lyrical and fanciful expression materializes most beautifully in Sonnets, designed tastefully with refined tone colors, each with individual and very specific intervallic and harmonic climate."-Olgierd Pisarenko, The Music Movement (Warsaw, Poland)
"It is the most attractive example of inventive tone painting, in which excellent organization of ideas sets noticeably above the sound-effect category."-Bill Zakariasen, New York Daily News
"…a strong, fascinating work."-Robert Sherman, WQXR (New York)"Ptaszynska’s icy-beautiful piece for strings… was a hit."-Ray Cooklis, The Cincinnati Enquirer"…one of the most interesting works heard… She was able, using only the resources of string instruments, to create amazingly varied sound colors."-Jonathan Kramer, Musical America"In this particularly successful composition,... Ptaszynska presented a sound vision of dreamlike fantasies in a very suggestive and unusually attractive musical construction. Reaching for the music of Venetian composer, Ptaszynska did it so gracefully and with such a good taste, that, as a result, an entirely new work was created, a composition extremely homogeneous in style and musical expression. As a matter of fact we may not even see all these technical manipulations. But if noticed, we sense even more strongly the hidden content of this extremely absorbing and interesting musical story."-Tadeusz Zielinski, Ruch Muzyczny
"Ptaszynska’s setting of a Paul Verlaine poem... employs extremely subtle effects, ...to reinforce the mournful, withdrawn emotions of the vocal part, which interweaves sung and spoken French and English. The three performers made something absolutely haunting of this interior drama."-John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune"…easily the evening's highlight."-Andrew Patner, Chicago Sun-Times
"The work is stunning… The effect is a potent march through ever higher peaks of dramatic power."-Timothy V. Clark, St. Louis Riverfront Times
Page last updated February 18, 2009
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