The Music of Peter Kwasniewski

THE MUSIC OF PETER KWASNIEWSKI

Peter Kwasniewski is director of the Choir and Schola at Wyoming Catholic College. Not only does he hold a Doctorate in Philosophy and teach in a number of areas, he is also a very fine composer. I would like to do a concert in Chicago of some of his choral works (see below for a tentative program) with a professional choir of 16 singers, and have it recorded. Please consider giving your support to this worthy cause, which will highlight the power and beauty of sacred music in continuity with our great Catholic tradition. — Deacon Timothy Woods

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TENTATIVE CONCERT & CD PROGRAM

Seven Mandatum Antiphons (2010), dedicated to Arvo Pärt

Tantum Ergo I–V (2013)

Reproaches for Good Friday, Setting II (2013)

O Passio Magna (2014)

My Jesus, Mercy (2013)

Three Easter Motets (2011): Venit Jesus, Simon Iohannis, Venite Populi

Non vos relinquam (1994)

Eternal Trinity, text from St. Catherine of Siena (1998/2010)

Christus Mecum, text from St. Patrick’s Breastplate (2012)

O Clarissima Mater, text from St. Hildegard of Bingen (2013)

Thee, O Mary, Will I Praise (2013)

Christus Natus (2014)

The Coventry Carol (2010)

Two Settings of Psalm 116 (2013), dedicated to Benedict XVI

New motets written specially for the occasion

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Note from the composer:

I am extremely excited about the concert of my music that Deacon Timothy Woods is seeking to organize, conduct, and record in Chicago, where I was born in 1971, and where there are so many incredibly beautiful Catholic churches. The concert will be a splendid opportunity to premiere a number of more demanding choral works and to showcase a style of polyphony and hymnody that I believe is very much in accord with the ideals for Christian art set forth by John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Dom Prosper Guéranger writes: “The Holy Spirit has made the liturgy the center of his working in men’s souls.” This is true above all of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If we are aware of the awesome, holy, divine, immortal, life-creating mysteries we adore and receive, how could we not yearn to give to the Lord all that we can and the very best that we can! Everything should be noble, uplifting, in harmony with the Church’s tradition, pointing to the transcendent, the heavenly, the eternal. It has always been my desire and prayer that the music I write give glory to God and raise the minds and hearts of singers and listeners to Him, whom we long to see face to face.

Since this concert will be feasible only if we can raise the funds, I want to join Timothy in thanking, in advance, everyone out there who will support it. Thank you and God bless you!

For samples of Kwasniewski’s music, visit here (audio) or here (video).