On the cultural borderland of Poland and Belarus – literary inspirations and artistic value of the Home songbook by Stanisław Moniuszko Cover Image

Na kulturowej granicy Polski i Białorusi – inspiracje literackie i wartości artystyczne Śpiewnika domowego Stanisława Moniuszki
On the cultural borderland of Poland and Belarus – literary inspirations and artistic value of the Home songbook by Stanisław Moniuszko

Author(s): Zbigniew Stępniak
Subject(s): History, Language and Literature Studies, Literary Texts, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Cultural history, Music, Poetry
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Keywords: Moniuszko; Śpiewnik domowy; pieśń solowa; liryka wokalna; poezja

Summary/Abstract: The present work focuses on literary inspirations and artistic value of song lyrics included in the twelve-volume anthology of Stanisław Moniuszko’s songs known as the Home Songbook. The composer, who was born in the Minsk gubernia during the period of Russian partition, maintained strong bond with the Eastern frontier of Poland. The research conducted by the author of this study shows that Moniuszko used the texts created by 97 poets including many artists coming from the Eastern part of Poland (e.g. A. Mickiewicz, J. Czeczot, S. Witwicki, W. Syrokomla, J. Prusinowski etc.); in the collection of 364 songs and duos only 40 lyrics were written by foreign authors. Moniuszko’s work, with all their richness and diversity, played an important part in the cultivation of national identity of the Poles living under the Tsar’s rule; the Belarussians claim that a great deal of his songs have their roots in Belarusian folk culture.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 17
  • Page Range: 379-392
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish