Critic’s Pick 2
Marian Borkowski: Choral Works
64
Marian Borkowski: Choral Works
Polski Chór Kameralny
Jan Łukaszewski, director
DUX Recording Producers – Morskie Oko, 2 – 02-511 Warsaw
(2013; 56’ 11’)
Reviewed by
Tobin Sparfeld
While many in the choral world may be familiar with Polish composer Marian Borkowski, a
large number of people are unaware of his work. The Polish Chamber Choir should be praised for
showcasing Borkowski’s choral works in their latest album.
Marian Borkowski was born in 1934 in Pabianice, Poland. He studied composition with Kazimierz
Sikorski and piano with Jan Ekier and Natalia Hornowska at the Academy of Music in Warsaw. He
continued his postgraduate studies in composition with Nadia Boulanger, Olivier Messiaen, and Iannis
Xenakis. Since 1968, he has been on the faculty of the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, where
he has taught several dozen Polish composers and other students. His work has been recorded in over
fifty professional albums. In addition to his work as a composer, Borkowski has also been an active
music scholar and performer.
This album contains all of Borkowski’s a cappella choral compositions. Released for the fifty-fifth
anniversary of his compositional career, the album also marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Polish
Chamber Choir, a professional choir of twenty-four singers under the direction of Jan Łukaszewski.
The group performs approximately 80-100 concerts a year which range from a cappella to large-scale
oratorios, operas, and symphonic performances. Over its history, the ensemble has premiered over five
hundred contemporary pieces and has made over seventy professional recordings, including Penderecki:
Complete Choral Works. Since 1983, they have been led by Jan Łukaszewski, a choral specialist who also
leads the boys’ and men’s Choir Pueri Cantores Olivenses in addition to teaching and other conducting
duties.
Recorded in a resonant space, this album has sacred and secular compositions which are
interspersed effectively into a compelling concert program. The first three selections on the album are
based on sacred texts. The Libera me I opens with forceful declamatory statements which alternate
with echoes of hushed reverence. With its consonance and homophonic texture, the music is quite
accessible. While containing dissonances and some extended harmonies, it is reminiscent of more
traditional motet settings.
The next track, Mater mea, has a Polish setting which features chordal planing as well as more
novel harmonies. Common throughout the setting are notes sustained by the male choristers held
under moving vocal lines sung the women choristers in divisi parts. Unlike many settings of the
‘Lux aeterna’ text, Lux begins in the minor mode with impassioned pleas that are almost more like a
‘Miserere’ text. The dramatic intensity is heightened by the work’s notable dynamic contrast.
The album also features two lullabies (Kolyanska) which are wordless vocalises. With its seventh
chords, tranquil effect, and legato melodic singing by the sopranos, this first setting evokes many
contemporary jazz arrangements in a simple strophic setting.
The Regina coeli begins with the ‘Alleluia’ text in octaves, a technique Borkowski commonly uses
... Marian Borkowski: Choral Works
66
in his choral introductions. While the text suggests celebration,
the mysterious introduction by the basses conveys more nuanced
sentiments. While the intonation of the Polish Chamber Choir
is typically excellent, there are moments here where the women’s
parts are noticeably sharp.
The next selection is a Polish Christmas Carol, Bóg przyszedł
na świat (God Came to the World). For this setting, a bass soloist
sings the melody with choral accompaniment. While the soloist’s
voice is expressive and fervent, its dark, covered tone may be less
desired by some listeners.
Composed in 2000, the Ave-Alleluia-Amen is Borkowski’s
most avant-garde choral composition. The opening tritones in
octaves introduce the dramatic work which features more acerbic
dissonances and also includes tone clusters. This is followed by his
Adoramus, another vocalise which unfolds somewhat like a movie
score with its alternating themes and syncopated rhythms.
The next Christmas carol in Polish, Aby miłość stała się (Love
Incarnate), is a tender strophic homophonic setting, one similar
to those by other Polish composers. The second lullaby, another
vocalise, is also a work of deep sentiment.
All three final sacred settings feature dramatic contrasts and
varying textures. The Gloria II, framed at the beginning and end
with lines of parallel octaves, is a celebratory setting on the single
word, ‘Gloria.’ The internal section contains alternating loud and
soft sections which are all based on a lyrical soprano melody. Pater
noster also features a sweeping announcement as an introduction.
As in previous tracks, this motet only sets the words ‘Pater noster’
and ‘Amen.’
An impressive concluding work is Borkowski’s Sanctus.
Opening in octaves moving up and down by tritones, the work
builds to a stated theme and then answered in retrograde,
culminating in a glorious ending.
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These pieces are strongly recommended to those who are
unfamiliar with Borkowski’s compositions.. In addition to
their craftsmanship, they are largely settings of compelling,
consonant music that can also appeal to general audiences. While
the harmonies are largely functional, there are also numerous
expressive dissonances and innovative progressions which will
also captivate experienced listeners. Despite the monochromatic
tendencies of performing work by a single composer, the album
is well organized, and focuses on providing the contrast and
sensitivity needed for key relationships.
The Polish Chamber Choir does a commendable job with
the choral works, many of which call for challenging harmonies
and sustained divisi parts. Intonation is generally good, with a
few small blemishes here and there, most notably in the Regina
coeli. The voice placement can be heavy and dark at times in loud
sections (especially in the men’s voices), which may not conform
to some listeners’ ideal sound models.
Notwithstanding these issues, listeners will find the choir’s
performance of these pieces to be passionate, moving, and elegant.
Those unfamiliar with Marian Borkowski’s choral work will
want to explore this recording, while those who already know of
these works will appreciate the excellent artistry displayed by Jan
Łukaszewski and the Polish Chamber Choir.
As a former member of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs, Tobin
Sparfeld has toured all over the world, from as far west as
Vancouver, British Columbia, to as far east as Moscow, Russia.
Tobin has also sung with Seraphic Fire and the Santa Fe Desert
Chorale. Tobin has worked with choirs of all ages, serving as
Assistant Music Director of the Miami Children’s Chorus as well
as the Associate Director of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs. He
also taught at Principia College and was the Director of Choral
Activities at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He was also
the assistant conductor of the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami.
Tobin received his DMA in Conducting from the University of
Miami in Coral Gables, studying with Jo-Michael Scheibe and
Joshua Habermann. He also received an Artist
Teacher Diploma from the CME Institute led
by Doreen Rao. He is currently the head of the
Music Division at Los Angeles Mission College,
part of the Los Angeles Community College
District. Email: [email protected]
Edited by Charlotte Sullivan, UK
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