Stabat Mater (Szymanowski)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stabat Mater is a 1926 composition by Karol Szymanowski for soprano, alto, baritone, a mixed choir, and orchestra. The work is divided into six parts and uses the Polish translation of the Christian hymn Stabat Mater:
- Stała Matka bolejąca.. (Stabat mater dolorosa) for soprano, choir, and orchestra
- I któż widział tak cierpiącą.. (Quis est homo qui non fleret) for baritone, choir, and orchestra
- O Matko Źródło Wszechmiłości.. (O, Eia, Mater, fons amoris) for soprano, alto, choir, and orchestra
- Spraw niech płaczę z Tobą razem.. (Fac me tecum pie flere) for soprano, alto, choir (also a cappella), and orchestra
- Panno słodka racz mozołem.. (Virgo virginum praeclara) for baritone, choir, and orchestra
- Chrystus niech mi będzie grodem.. (Christe, cum sit hinc exire) for sporano, alto, baritone, choir, and orchestra
The composition is religious, but not strictly liturgical. After a solemn opening, the second part is reminiscent of a funeral procession. In the fourth part, the soloists are accompanied by an a cappella chorus. The fifth part works to build up the dramatic climax of the last part.
[edit] Origin and performances
There were several reasons for Szymanowski to begin writing Stabat Mater. The first was an order from Princess Edmond de Polignac, who asked the composer in 1924 to write something for soloists, a choir, and orchestra. Eventually, the Princess backed out of the offer, but Szymanowski began thinking about writing such a work on his own. Later, an entrepreneur from Warsaw named Bronisław Krystal made an order for a Requiem for his late wife. Szymanowski, not wanting to follow in the footsteps of Mozart, proposed a Stabat Mater; and on the original score there is a dedication to Izabella Krystal. Finally, the death of his niece was the last impulse for writing the composition.
The first performance of Stabat Mater took place January 11, 1929 in Warsaw, conducted by Grzegorz Fitelberg.
