Górecki’s Solo Piano Music

Henryk Mikolaj Górecki (1933-2010) is mainly associated with substantial symphonic and choral works. In this archival study, Jarred Dunn illuminates Górecki anew, as a piano composer of miniatures, experimental works, and character pieces. In these chapters is the first reprinting of primary sources: Górecki’s autograph manuscripts and comments on their performance from his composition notebook Spis moich utworów (List of my Works).

Jarred Dunn discusses Górecki’s piano music historically, analytically, and didactically. He describes the unmistakable pianistic landscapes of Górecki’s Early and Late works, from Preludes Op. 1 and Sonata Op. 6 (1955-1956) to the last three miniatures (1990-2008). Mr. Dunn inserts observations of the posthumously-published works from both periods, introduced here for the first time. A detailed chapter on pedagogical approaches and related repertoire is rooted in Dunn’s close collaboration with concert pianist Anna Górecka, the composer’s daughter.

Górecki’s piano music — indeed the piano itself — underpins cardinal moments of his life: early loss, first love, and mature reflection. In his piano music, we find Górecki ever-deepening his understanding of the piano and its role in his evolving sound world.