skilef (2022)

Jan Cyž (b. 1955) — skilef (2022) for organ

“skilef” (2022) was written for the German-Sorbian composer and organist Felix Bräuer, and the piece’s title (and basic musical material) comes from a reverse letter ordering of Bräuer’s Sorbian language first name “Feliks.” This material is developed through Cyž’s typical aphoristic development processes.

Sorbian composer Jan Cyž (b. 1955) was born in Räckelwitz and grew up in Tschaschwitz. He was educated in Kamenz and Dresden in both voice and composition. Cyž has stated that his musical style is most heavily shaped by the Second Viennese School and especially the music of Webern. An aphoristic approach is behind the formal designs in his music, which unfold often as a mosaic built of these aphoristic developments of the music’s basic material.