Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013)

Dundonnell · March 09, 2009, 06:10:40 AM

Thanks for that, Maciek

I have ordered the Magnificat and Missa pro pace

Dundonnell · March 14, 2009, 02:35:59 PM

Now had a chance to listen to the 'Magnificat'. I really like it

I suppose that I am a bit of a sucker for this sort of music but it is very beautiful with some exceptionally gorgeous choral writing.

Next up will be the Missa pro pace

Maciek · March 15, 2009, 04:22:58 AM

I don't remember the Magnificat well enough to comment but the first movement of the Missa is one of my absolute Kilar favorites. I find it extremely moving, in a Barber's Adagio Gorecki's 3rd kind of way.

Dundonnell · March 15, 2009, 05:22:19 AM

There are certainly passages in the second and third movements of the Magnificat where the high floating soprano line reminded me very much of the Gorecki 3rd

Dundonnell · March 16, 2009, 08:45:58 AM

'Missa pro pace' arrived today

Like the Magnificat this contains a great deal of slow, stately, sonorous choral work, all very beautiful and (I presume) deeply felt, mingled in the second movement with some Orff!

I do rather begin to wonder though-just the beginnings of a gnawing doubt....is this really as deeply felt as it sounds or is it what Kilar knows will resonate with his audience of today?

Maybe I am being dreadfully unfair to him?

Ciel_Rouge · July 19, 2009, 04:10:59 PM

Today I watched "The Portrait of a Lady" starring Nicole Kidman and was very surprised to learn that the most prominent piece was composed by Wojciech Kilar along with other pieces in the score (the OST also features pieces by Schubert). I found this very moving and hauntingly beautiful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY17xSRfKY8

Tapkaara · July 21, 2009, 08:26:16 AM

Kilar is one of my favorite composers. I was first introduced to him by his amazing score for Bram Stoker's Dracula. It must truly be one of the best film scores ever!

His work for string orchestra Orawa is a pretty amazing work. In it, he seems inspired by the dances of Polish highlanders, and influence that also is present in the tone poem Krzesany.

Ciel_Rouge · November 29, 2009, 02:32:00 PM

I recently learned that the waltz from Portrait of a Lady was actually a slowed down version of the one for the 1976 film Trędowata:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j-aCIqJfxM

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075348/

Maciek · April 11, 2011, 02:10:44 PM

This:

http://www.youtube.com/v/ehg5GM1A4uI

Orawa performed by AUKSO and... an accordion trio!

Not sure who arranged it - I'm guessing members of the trio.

Quite a controversy going on in the comments (in Polish).

Youtube also has the same trio perform it without a string orchestra (another arrangement). And AUKSO perform it without the trio (original version). But somehow this one seems most interesting (and daring). As to the final effect: well, I wonder how other GMGers feel about it?

Ciel_Rouge · June 04, 2011, 04:50:41 PM

Hi Maciek, I actually like Możdżer and enjoy accordion experiments etc. However, I still prefer the original Orawa not because this version is too "daring" but simply because I am moved more by the original.

mszczuj · December 29, 2013, 10:06:24 AM

Alas:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25542530

lescamil · December 29, 2013, 11:46:42 AM

Sadly, someone will have to edit the title of this thread.

I don't really know his music, save for a few odds and ends and the film scores. Where is a good place to start in his concert music?

vandermolen · December 30, 2013, 02:56:00 PM

Realised I had his Dracula score in my collection which I have never played. Am doing so now and thoroughly enjoying it. Must investigate more of his music.

vandermolen · January 04, 2014, 01:58:04 AM

The recent death of Kilar prompted me to investigate his music. I had his film music in my collection for years without listening to it

. It contains much beautiful material, not least 'Death and the Maiden' and 'Konig' but in fact the whole CD, including the Dracula music is hauntingly beautiful ( no pun intended). It is now on Naxos:
[asin]B0007ACVKU[/asin]
I would have also posted this under 'Movie Music' but can't find the thread

.

North Star · January 04, 2014, 02:39:48 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on January 04, 2014, 01:58:04 AM
The recent death of Kilar prompted me to investigate his music. I had his film music in my collection for years without listening to it . It contains much beautiful material, not least 'Death and the Maiden' and 'Konig' but in fact the whole CD, including the Dracula music is hauntingly beautiful ( no pun intended). It is now on Naxos:

I would have also posted this under 'Movie Music' but can't find the thread .

Film (movie Music)

Mirror Image · January 04, 2014, 05:23:52 AM

Quote from: North Star on January 04, 2014, 02:39:48 AM

Walton
Cello Concerto
Harrell, Rattle & CBSO

Wrong thread, Karlo.

vandermolen · January 04, 2014, 02:16:13 PM

Quote from: North Star on January 04, 2014, 02:39:48 AM
Film (movie Music)

Many thanks.

7/4 · January 06, 2014, 04:44:23 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on January 04, 2014, 01:58:04 AM
The recent death of Kilar prompted me to investigate his music. I had his film music in my collection for years without listening to it . It contains much beautiful material, not least 'Death and the Maiden' and 'Konig' but in fact the whole CD, including the Dracula music is hauntingly beautiful ( no pun intended). It is now on Naxos:
[asin]B0007ACVKU[/asin]

Heard it this morning, thoroughly enjoyed it. Getting a bit spritely with those bells.

San Antone · January 23, 2014, 07:08:12 AM

Tango

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvgcc1jcv9s

Sad news: 12/29/2013 - a very good composer.

vandermolen · January 23, 2014, 11:24:02 AM

Quote from: 7/4 on January 06, 2014, 04:44:23 AM
Heard it this morning, thoroughly enjoyed it. Getting a bit spritely with those bells.

Glad you liked it - an interesting discovery for me.

Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013)

Tapkaara

Mirror Image