Full score of SEVEN JAZZ PIECES is now available worldwide in hard copy! Get your copy now! First 25 people will get a signed copy HERE with 45% off the price!

Seven Jazz Pieces (solo guitar) composed and performed by Marek PASIECZNY out now on all major platforms

SEVEN JAZZ PIECES | for Guitar Solo | by Marek PASIECZNY

▪️ African Sketch ▪️ (The Other) Milonga ▪️ For Sylvia (Jazz Waltz ▪️ Tom’s Blues ▪️ (Afro) Samba ▪️ Lyle’s Maze ▪️ Until Then (Jazz Ballad)

Edition Type: Full Score | Publishers: SLE London | Catalogue Number: SLE071 | Pages: 20 | Date Published: April 2022

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Video Premiere of DODECAPHONIC PRELUDE & FUGUE performed by Vojin Kocic

Happy to be back at Leeds Conservatoire for Composition Workshops in March / April. Joined by Giacomo Susani and Michael Butten for the April’s finale!

home recording session of SEVEN JAZZ PIECES (version for Solo Guitar) done! This collection of pieces includes many different forms, such as afro-samba, blues, milonga, jazz waltz, ballad, African jazz and others, all linked by jazz harmony with elements of written-out improvisation.

I’m happy to announce new project: I’m going to transcribe and arrange set of pieces by Polish violin virtuoso and composer Henryk WIENIAWSKI for two guitars!

The première will take place in June during the ’57th Wieniawski International Music Festival’ in Teatr Zdrojowy im. Henryka Wieniawskiego w Szczawnie-Zdroju. I’ll première them w/ amazing guitarist and Polish guitar legend: Krzysztof Pełech

The project is commissioned by Ośrodek Kultury i Sztuki we Wrocławiu (OKiS)

Truly unforgettable memories during recording session of EX NIHILO (for Two Soloists and Large Ensemble) w/ Pia Gazarek Offermann , Prof Thomas Offermann (conductor) and 15 amazing guitarists from six different countries at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock.

Rehearsals and recording of SUSURRUS and DODECAPHONIC PRELUDE and Fugue (for three guitars) w/ one of the finest guitarists in the UK: Giacomo Susani and Michael Butten at beautiful St Vedast Alias Foster.

It’s been truly amazing to be back at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire!
Passionate and greatly talented students with such versatile and inspiring program to work on! Thank you Mark Ashford for organising master-classes! See you soon!

I’m thrilled to be back in February at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire this February!

next week’s composition workshop (part one) at the Leeds Conservatoire

Two more transcriptions of SUSURRUS completed:

▪️ Harp and Guitar (to Poland) | ▪️ Guitar Trio (to UK)

the analysis of Dodecaphonic Prelude and Fugue, now on YouTube, performed by Vojin Kocic

DODECAPHONIC PRELUDE & FUGUE | for Guitar Solo | by Marek PASIECZNY

Edition Type: Full Score + The Structure| Publishers: SLE London

Catalogue Number: SLE076 | Pages: 9| Date Published: 3 Dec 2021

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SUSURRUS (for Two Guitars) by Marek PASIECZNY

Cantus Planus | Incantatio et Psalmus | Canticulum (video)

Edition Type: Full Score + I guitar and II guitar (parts) | Publishers: SLE London
Catalogue Number: SLE073 | Pages: 23 | Date Published: 28 Oct 2021

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video recording-session of SUSURRUS (for guitar duo) now in full:

SUSURRUS for Two Guitars now on all major platforms! stream / download / watch 

One of a kind and very rare experience for any living composer to have entire concert dedicated to his music. Solos, duo and All together!
Amazing students from Germany, Costa Rica, South Korea, Serbia, Czech Republic, Brazil, Bolivia, Armenia, and Italy; united by music and their great talents, working extremely hard to make it happen under conducting of Prof. Thomas Offermann.

from Universities: Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock| Hochschule für Künste Bremen | Hans-Werner-Henze Musikschule

working with all those great musical personalities on my pieces such as: Scintilla (solo and duo), Neo Variations, Finis Autem Principium Est, After Brad Variations, Desejo, Little Sonata and many more… was an absolute blast!

’SUSURRUS I’ : transcribed for Two Guitars has been recorded! Unforgettable musical moments with my dear friend Marek Nosal. What a professional musician!

What a privilege to record it in this amazing concert hall which has been recently renovated (apparently with 1kg gold used for gilding) with amazing Krzysztof Pełech at Teatr Zdrojowy im. Henryka Wieniawskiego in Szczawno-Zdroj, Poland

Please join us in person or on Live Stream from Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock on the 3rd of September, 7:30pm!
I’m going to give master-classes and première the extended version of ▪️EX NIHILO for Two Soloists and Large Guitar Ensemble | conducted by Prof Thomas Offermann

▪️11 other brilliant students of HMT Rostock will also be performing my music throughout the concert!
Book it / Join us

’SUSURRUS’ : version for 13-course Baroque Lute and Guitar has been recorded with Polish legend of baroque lute: Jerzy Zak.

SUSURRUS

Cantus Planus | Incantatio et Psalmus | Canticulum (2021)

The title – Susurrus (Lat.: susurrare), meaning a whispering, murmuring, or rustling sound – depicts the gentleness and humbleness of the compositional materials used to establish the three movements of this piece.

The first sketches were created without any specific instrumentation in mind. I started on the piano and wrote in polyphony (single voicing and multi-voicing techniques). The melody is meant to flow and intertwine with other voices, horizontally, not vertically.

I was largely inspired by my study of chants, psalms and Gregorian hymns. The purity, modesty, asceticism, and minimalism conveyed were a complete detachment from contemporary music. The greatest attention was given to the smallest change of interval, and there was a complexity within its simplicity that fascinated me.

It was, however, not my intention to copy the past. I wanted only to draw on the consolidation of the atmosphere, asceticism and extremely careful consonance of successive intervals, single voices and their layering. Furthermore, I did not wish to use any original chants, psalms or hymns. Instead, I wanted to create every interval, every melody, and every co-interaction from scratch.

Cantus Planus

Cantus Planus (plainchant) is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Western Church. When referring to the term plainsong, it is those sacred pieces that are composed in Latin text. Plainsong was the exclusive form of Christian church music until the ninth century, and the introduction of polyphony.

The monophonic chants of plainsong have a non-metric rhythm. Their rhythms are generally freer than the metered rhythm of later Western music, and they are sung without musical accompaniment (pure monody vs multi-layered monody). This inspired my decision to organize the time using an uneven but organic time signature.

I incorporated the essence of purity and asceticism through a very conscious choice of scales. The Chant in this movement is built on the aeolian pentatonic scale (A C D E F), which is a natural minor scale consisting only of 5 pure natural notes.

Incantatio et Psalmus

Incantatio et Psalmus is the supine form of incantō (“sing, recite, enchant”) integrated with psalm (a sacred song; a poetical composition for use in the praise or worship of God). Continuing with the depiction of purity, the second movement is built on the aeolian mode in its entirety.

Canticulum

Canticulum (song or incantation)  is a hymn, psalm or other Christian song of praise with lyrics taken from biblical or holy texts other than the Psalms.

The third movement breaks free from the dominance of one (Aeolian) scale. The main theme of Canticulum appears not only in different tonal forms in the same key, but modulates through a variety of different keys and tonics. The form of polyphony is mainly shaped by a dependence on the interval of a 3^rd.

Number ‘3’:

The number 3 is of particular importance in Susurrus. It is one of the most important numbers in the Bible. It represents harmony, The Holy Trinity and God’s presence. In Susurrus, the number 3 is represented not only in the number of movements, but also in the interval of thirds, which shapes the monodic but also polyphonic compositional narrative of the whole three movements.

Instrumentation:

Susurrus can be orchestrated and adapted for many smaller or larger chamber ensembles. This is one possible version of the piece.

As its very first version, the combination of 2 instruments born more than 200 years apart (classical guitar and 13-course baroque lute) seemed extremely appropriate to the genesis of Susurrus.

I hope Susurrus will find many performances in new and unusual pairs of instruments or larger ensembles (across contemporary as well as historical instruments).

Marek PASIECZNY (17th of July, 2021)

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Three new commissions for multi-movement pieces to work on this summer:

▪️ Baroque Lute and Guitar (Poland / UK)
▪️ Chinese Pipa and Guitar (Switzerland / China)
▪️ Cello (solo) (Poland)

Egberto Gismonti’s 'AGUA E VINHO’ in my new arr. for viola and guitar w/ brilliant Kaya Bryla-Weiss more HERE

Recently commissioned set of solo guitar pieces in jazz-style has now also been extended for two guitars. I will be recording and releasing them this summer!

I’m looking forward to participating in two guitar workshop festivals this summer in Poland, where I will be teaching (individual classes in: classical guitar and composition), adjudicating and performing:

’XXI Summer Guitar Festival’ (Krzyzowa, Poland) 22nd July – 1st August ’21

’XXIII Mistrz i Uczeń’ (Krzeszowice, Poland) 24th – 30th of August ’21

Première Recording: Arvo Pärt’s 'Spiegel im Spiegel’ – one of his best known and most performed pieces, now in brand new arrangement for viola and guitar, now available on YouTube!
I recorded guitar part in the UK, while amazing Kaya Bryla-Weiss recorded her viola part in NYC

’Eight Miniatures For Piano and Guitar’ by Marek PASIECZNY

based and inspired by Polish Folk Music in form of Suite (2018)

Edition Type: Full Score + Guitar (part)
Publishers: SLE London
Catalogue Number: SLE072
Pages: 26
Date Published: 11 Feb 2021

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EX NIHILO (Nihil Fit) for two guitars | Marek PASIECZNY

Edition Type: Full Score + Guitar I and Guitar II (parts) + full program note by the composer
Publishers: SLE London
Catalogue Number: SLE071
Pages: 61
Date Published: 22 Jan 2021

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„Picture a wave. In the ocean. You can see it, measure it, its height, the way the sunlight refracts when it passes through. And it’s there. And you can see it, you know what it is. It’s a wave.

And then it crashes in the shore and it’s gone. But the water is still there. The wave was just a different way for the water to be, for a little while. You know it’s one conception of death for Buddhists: the wave returns to the ocean, where it came from and where it’s supposed to be”.
Chidi (‘The Good Place’)

This piece borrows ideas from two philosophies, Parmenides’s philosophy and Buddha’s concept of death:

// Parmenides’s philosophy //

” τί δ᾽ ἄν μιν καὶ χρέος ὦρσεν ὕστερον ἢ πρόσθεν, τοῦ μηδενὸς ἀρξάμενον, φῦν; οὕτως ἢ πάμπαν πελέναι χρεών ἐστιν ἢ οὐχί. / „Yet why would it be created later rather than sooner, if it came from nothing; so, it must either be created altogether or not [created at all].”
* Parmenides (c. 515 BC)

”Nothing comes from nothing” (Latin: ex nihilo nihil fit) is a philosophical expression of a thesis first argued by Parmenides. It is associated with ancient Greek cosmology – there is no break in-between a world that did not exist and one that did, since it could not be created ex nihilo in the first place.

// Buddha’s concept of death //

In book „The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching” by Thích Nhất Hạnhh, Buddha says:
„When we look at the ocean, we see that each wave has a beginning and an end. A wave can be compared with other waves, and we can call it more or less beautiful, higher or lower, longer lasting or less long lasting. But if we look more deeply, we see that a wave is made of water. While living the life of a wave, it also lives the life of water. It would be sad if the wave did not know that it is water. It would think, Some day, I will have to die. This period of time is my life span, and when I arrive at the shore, I will return to nonbeing. These notions will cause the wave fear and anguish. We have to help it remove the notions of self, person, living being, and life span if we want the wave to be free and happy.”

I have always been fascinated by the concept of waves in music, especially in the context of minimal music (also known as ‘minimalism’). Repetitive patterns or pulses, reiterations of musical phrases or smaller units can be shaped through time (of the performance) into unique musical waves. Dynamic manipulation can also give the impression of appearing and disappearing into nothingness.

Ex Nihilo is structured at all levels by the concept of waves: compositional material (from the smallest units up to entire sub-movements and the piece as a whole); dynamics (incessant rising and falling of volume and tension); orchestration (constant and often overlapping successive parts – voices); and temporal elements (different pulses, different metres, and different tempos of each sub-movements overlapping each other).

The main musical unit is built on the rising motif d # – e – f # which represents small waves climbing above the surface of the sea. As a ‘theme’, this three-note pattern repeatedly returns throughout the entire piece.

MAREK PASIECZNY
March 2020 | Zurich, Switzerland

’Ex Nihilo (Nihil Fit)’ / 'From Nothing (Comes Nothing)’ for two guitars, now on ALL major platforms!

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Entering holiday season, 'Kyoto Sonata’ (version for guitar) is completed!
While writing 'Kyoto Sonata’ I’ve been not only inspired by three places in Kyoto, but also their particular architecture has been the structural base of the form.
Three movements / three unique places: Hōnen-in Temple (very hidden, humble, magical and just simply beautiful place), the famous and breathtaking Fushimi Inari-Taisha I spent long hours walking around, and finally: full of people, different in energy and colours – depending on the time of the day – Higashiyama-ku district with its most known temple Yasaka-no-to Pagoda.
The piece has been commissioned by and is dedicated to the German guitarist Jakob Wagner.

CONCERTO for Guitar and String Orchestra (2018)
(Tribute to Wojciech Kilar) | composed by Marek PASIECZNY

I. Nocturne: Andante con Moto
II. Ostinato (Psalm): Adagio – Allegro Moderato – Adagio
III. Toccare: Vivace Ardentemente

In 1948, Dmitri Shostakovich finished his first Violin Concerto. The first part of this concerto, ‘Nocturne – Moderato’, is a tribute to the English composer Edward Elgar and his Cello Concerto, which was deemed a breakthrough in the cello repertoire shortly after its premiere.
My Guitar Concerto is also a tribute. A tribute in memory of the Polish, Silesian composer Wojciech Kilar. Inspired by the story of Shostakovich and Elgar, I began my new concerto with a nocturne, entitled 'Nocturne – Andante Con Moto’. The compositional material of the first movement was also inspired by Wojciech Kilar’s Piano Concerto from 1997. I borrowed the use of horizontal harmonic structures, sustained by long notes in the string orchestra. This is paired with the arpeggio technique in the guitar solo part (in Kilar’s case, it was the piano solo part).

The second movement (attacca from the first movement) is entitled ‘Ostinato (Psalm): Adagio – Allegro Moderato – Adagio’. Religious, even choral-like, it has an ostinato character with a recurring theme in the form of a psalm. Faith and Catholicism were extremely important elements in the life and work of Wojciech Kilar.
The third movement was inspired by another minimalist, the American composer John Adams. The third movement of his Violin Concerto gave me the idea for the form and energy of this movement. The Finale of my concerto, entitled 'Toccare: Vivace Ardentemente’ is in the form of a toccata (Italian: toccare – to hit). It is a kind of musical duel between the soloist and orchestra, in minimalist style for which Wojciech Kilar was well-known as a master.

FULL SCORE

New transcription and arrangement of the ballad titled 'Always and Forever’ by Pat Metheny

The 29th International Festival May with Early Music (Autumn Edition) solo and duo (w/ Jerzy Zak, premiering reconstructed pieces by S.L. Weiss, D. Cato and some of my original works on baroque lute, romantic and classical guitar.

Composition:
• guidance through the compositional process from beginners up to advanced students
• helping with orchestration, instrumentation
• editing your original compositions

Classical guitar:
• if you play any of my music, you have the opportunity to work with me on my piece regardless of where you are right now
• your own music or any other pieces from the classical repertoire are also welcome
£40 / 45€ (PayPal payment in advance) per 60 min lesson

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One of the largest chamber music pieces I’ve done to date is completed. Based on my monumental duo piece for two guitars titled 'Ex Nihilo (Nihil Fit)’ premiered earlier this year in Zurich (with Vojin Kocic). Now with entire new extended version for large guitar ensemble (for up to 21 players + two soloists). Commissioned by Prof Thomas Offermann, who will conduct the premiere in November, this year in Germany.

’Dodecaphonic Prelude and Fugue’ came spontaneously into being in July ‘20 towards the end of the global lockdown brought about by the COVID‐19 pandemic. It was a compositional challenge I posed for myself to create a piece based entirely on mathematical structures shaped by the twelve‐tone technique (also known as ‘dodecaphony’). It is a technique which I have not used in over 15 years.

For me, dodecaphony, being totally free of the gravity of a tonal language, is at once liberating but with an element of ‘soullessness’ to it. One loses the sense of a ‘tonic’ base and the harmonic and melodic gravitation it holds. Yet – using a familiar and ‘tonal’ form of the prelude and fugue, the human ear can find (or perhaps wants to find) the base, the tonic and familiar tonal triads to gravitate towards. The experience has been truly liberating and, at the same time, surprising for me.

The piece is based strictly on a planned structure and was written simultaneously in two versions: for solo piano (dedicated to Carl Petersson) and solo guitar (to Vojin Kocic).

Teaching at Summer Guitar Festival organised by OKIS directed by Krzysztof Pełech — at Fundacja Krzyżowa dla Porozumienia Europejskiego / Stiftung Kreisau (Krzyżowa, Poland).

1ST Prize Winning Composition at: THE 4th INTERNATIONAL MICROTONAL GUITAR COMPETITION | İTÜ Türk Musikisi Devlet Konservatuarı | Istanbul, Turkey

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I’m happy to announce that my composition ’LE-GO!’ for classical microtonal guitar got 1ST Prize at: THE 4th INTERNATIONAL MICROTONAL GUITAR COMPETITION | İTÜ Türk Musikisi Devlet Konservatuarı | Istanbul, Turkey

Brand new recording of LITTLE SONATA now available on YouTube