Wiechowicz, Stanislaw

Wiechowicz, Stanislaw, Polish composer, pedagogue, choral conductor, and writer on music; b. Kroszyce, Nov. 27, 1893; d. Krakow, May 12, 1963. He received his training at the Krakow Cons., the Dalcroze Inst. in Dresden, the St. Petersburg Cons., and the Schola Cantorum in Paris. After teaching theory (1921-30) and composition (1930-39) at the Poznan Cons., he was a prof. of composition at the Krakow Cons, from 1945 until his death. In 1950 he was awarded the Polish State Prize for composition. Wiechowicz excelled as a composer of vocal music.

Works

orch: Babie lato (Martinmas Summer), symphonic poem (1922); Chmiel (The Hopvine), symphonic scherzo (1926); Ruta (Rue), sumphonic poem (1930); Ulegalki (The Wild Pears), symphonic portraits (1944); Kasia (Kate), folk suite for 2 Clarinets and Strings (1946); Suita pastoralna (1952); Serenadespolska (1953); Koncert staromiejski (Old Town Concerto) for Strings (1954). VOCAL: Pastoralki, Christmas cantata for Voice, Chorus, and Percussion (1929); Dzien slozvianski (Slav Day), cantata for Chorus and Brass Band (1929); Kantata roman-tyczna for Soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1930); 3 suity ludozve (3 Folk Suites) for Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orch. (1942); Psalmodia for Chorus and Orch. (1944); Z Wojtusiowej izbyi (From Wojtek’s Room), children’s cantata for Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orch. (1944); A czemuzes nie przyjechal (Why Did You Not Come?), rustic scene for Chorus and Orch. (1948); Na glinianym wazoniku (On a Little Clay Pot) for Chorus and Orch. (1948); Kantata zniwna (Harvest Cantata) for Chorus (1948); Kantata Mickiewic-zowska for Chorus and Orch. (1950); List do March Chagolla (Letter to Marc Chagall), dramatic rhapsody for 2 Solo Voices, Male and Female Speakers, Chorus, and Orch. (1961); Zstqp, golebico (O Dove, Descend), cantata for Soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1962-63); many other pieces; numerous folk song arrangements.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire