Garścia Janina

Janina Garście, residing in Gressel (* March 12, 1920 Krakow – † March 1. 2004 Krakow) composer and teacher. Among her teachers were Stanisław Wiechowicz, with whom she studied composition, and Artur Malawski (in conducting). She was an active teacher for many years. Her instrumental and vocal compositions, which include approximately 900 songs, are intended mainly for educational purposes. Given their purpose, they are kept in the simple major-minor harmonics. The author attached great importance to the colors and values ​​of imagination. In her children’s compositions, she made use of programming and illustration. She shared the idea that each piece is a separate story with a plot expressed through sounds. About 800 of her compositions have been published by PWM. Some works have also been published abroad. Since 1993, a competition named after Janina Garści.

The composer has received numerous awards for her activity, including Prime Minister’s Award for works for children, Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, KEN Medal. In 1995, an exhibition devoted to Garście’s work was opened at the International Music Museum in London

More information on the websites of wikipedia, culture.pl, and PWM. Notes information is also available here.

Pieces with the violin:

• Two Sonatinas, Op. 34 for cello (or violin) and piano (1968)
• Little things, 10 easy pieces for violin and piano (1969)
• Little things, 5 easy pieces for violin and piano (1969)
• Ptaszarnia for violin and piano (1994)
• On the strings of the harp, Op. 85, cycle of works for pedal and Celtic harp and harp with violin (or flute) (2002)