Eternal Rest for mixed choir (or solo voice and harmonium) (1983

Eternal Rest for mixed choir (or solo voice and harmonium) (1983–1984)

Vocal-instrumental and vocal works

Eternal Rest for mixed choir (or solo voice and harmonium) (1983–1984)

Performer:
Strzyżowski Chór Kameralny (Strzyżów Chamber Choir)
Grzegorz Oliwa – conductor

Recording engineer: Dominik Cynar, Dirty Sound Records

Recorded on October 27th, 2025, in the Zygmunt Mycielski State Music School in Strzyżów.

dedication: to the Echo Choir in Wiśniowa

duration: ca 2’

manuscript: Zygmunt Mycielski Archive, Manuscript Department, National Library, no. IV 14229 akc. 020620

premiere: Wiśniowa, 5 August 1989, “Melodia” Singing Society Mixed Choir in Mielec (chorus master – Jerzy Kopcewicz) and “Echo” Male Choir of the Culture Centre in Wiśniowa (chorus master – Andrzej Szypuła), Ewa Grzebień – organ, cond. Andrzej Szypuła

Composed in late 1983 and in 1984 for the “Echo” choir in Wiśniowa, Eternal Rest is a miniature on the margins of Zygmunt Mycielski’s oeuvre.

Although since 1962 his works had been written on the basis of a system of tables, in this requiem the composer opted for traditional tonal and harmonic means. Despite a clear simplification of the means of expression, Mycielski was happy with the result achieved: “I’m moved by two modulations. Music should be written in SUCH a manner. ‘On the spot’” (Konstancin, 10 December 1983), “I think I may have found the truth [here]” (Konstancin, 13/14 December 1983).

The composition was premiered on 5 August 1989 in Wiśniowa by the “Melodia” Singing Society Mixed Choir in Mielec (chorus master – Jerzy Kopcewicz) and “Echo” Male Choir of the Culture Centre in Wiśniowa (chorus master – Andrzej Szypuła), with Ewa Grzebień on the organ. The conductor was Andrzej Szypuła.