Fuga-Bolero (1995)

Marian Sawa (1937–2005) — Fuga-Bolero (1995) for organ

Despite its title, “Fuga-Bolero” (1995) is not a fugue, but rather a personal treatment of the Spanish bolero. A bolero is a slow-tempo dance in triple meter that originated in Spain in the late 18th century. The bolero rhythm is characterized by the presence of triplets on the second half of some of the beats, the rhythm of which is provided usually by castanets. Besides traditional Spanish and Latin music, the bolero has inspired a number of works of concert music, most notably Maurice Ravel’s famous orchestral work.

Marian Sawa (1937–2005) was a Polish composer, organist, and teacher. As a famed specialist in organ improvisation, he taught the subject for many years at several conservatories, most notably the F. Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. He was a frequent member of organ competition juries throughout the world, and won numerous prizes himself for his compositions and recordings. With nearly 1000 pieces in many genres, Sawa was an extremely prolific composer, and his own instrument, the organ, looms very large in his output. Besides hundreds of solo organ pieces, there are many works for organ with instruments and voices, and five organ concerti. Like many composers in Eastern European countries, religious inspiration was behind much of his music. Sawa’s personal style draws upon the influence of Gregorian chant and Polish folk hymns and songs (even when they are not quoted directly), alongside both traditional and contemporary harmony.

Published by Warsaw Music Edition