“Life-writing” in Aleksander Nowak’s Operas: Sudden Rain and Space Opera

“Life-writing”, manifesting itself in the extremely personal character of the composition, is one of the most important features of Aleksander Nowak’s work, which clearly distinguish him from other composers. “Life-writing” conceals such creative inspirations as the methods and means of composing. Nowak very often draws topics or sound material of the composition from his own life experiences. At the same time, he hopes to achieve a certain type of energy or emotions, which will then to evoke the feelings that are similar to those accompanying the writing of the piece. The issue of conveying in the work any or more specific, though significant, emotions is therefore the first-rate issue. For this reason, in his works, the musical tradition is often combined with the popular and well-known music. A specific representation of the idea of “life-writing” are Nowak’s operas: Sudden Rain for soprano, baritone, mixed choir and chamber orchestra and two-act Space Opera for soprano, mezzo-soprano, countertenor, baritone, bass, mixed choir and symphonic orchestra.