Compositions
Ms. Borowsky has earned a reputation as a talented composer. She has composed and published music for piano, violin, cello, trio, and string orchestra. Her works have been performed by ensembles such as the King David String Ensemble of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra (China), the Towson University Cello Ensemble (Maryland), and the Siauliai Chamber Orchestra (Lithuania). A skilled improviser, she sometimes concludes concerts with an improvisation.
Recent compositions and premieres
Trio No. 2: HARDY - for Piano Trio (with Emmanuel and Frances Borowsky)
Premiered January 30, 2011 at the German Society of Pennsylvania.
Solo Book for Winds (2011) - for Trumpet, Flute, Saxophone, or Clarinet with Piano (with David Marchand)
Imagination Music Publishing.
American Tribute to Chopin (2010) - for Piano, 6 Cellos, and Percussion
Premiered March 6, 2010 at Towson University (An American Tribute to Chopin gala concert)
Trio No. 1: Five Postcards from Dilsberg (2008) - for Piano Trio (with Emmanuel and Frances Borowsky)
Premiered July 6, 2008 in Dilsberg, Germany
One World, One Dream, One Family (2008) - for Piano, Violin, Voice, 2 Cellos, String Orchestra and Percussion
Premiered April 2008 with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra in Tianjin, China
Northern Lights - for Piano Solo (2002), for Piano Trio (2004)
Trio No. 2: HARDY (with Emmanuel and Frances Borowsky)
Dedicated to Hardy von Auenmueller, President of the German Society of Pennsylvania.
Completed January 2011. Premiered January 30, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA
This group of five little pieces (in the vein of Schoenberg) is an exploration of moods, styles, timbres, harmonies, and textures. Each movement is based on a note associated with a letter in the name "Hardy" - the "H" in German usage corresponding to the English "B", the "R" borrowed from the solfege scale degree "ra" (lowered second degree of the scale), the "Y" being changed to "E" as it is pronounced in the name, and the "A" and "D" corresponding with their matching pitches. The first three pieces are more pensive and dark in nature; the last two are decidedly playful. The trio begins with "H" written for solo cello. The piece uses only the five pitches corresponding to the name (B-A-D flat-D-E) and is meditative, somewhat reminiscent of the opening of Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring. The second piece begins on A and is in the Dorian mode. The theme is presented by all members of the trio unison - the piano presenting soft commentary at the end of phrases - and then is immediately repeated in the violin while the cello plays the theme in inversion. The piece is in ABA' form. The third piece, "R" begins with melodic conversation between the cello and violin. The theme is closely related, however the surprising harmonic changes in the piano part changes the context of the melody and thus the meaning. The fourth piece is a Scherzo in triple meter. Though the piano beings with a short four-note introduction, the melody - a German folksong (Hop-Hop-Hop)- is carried by the violin and played pizzicato. The piano performs rapid-fire arpeggios up and down the keyboard. The final piece, "E" is based on an ostinato of the five notes of HARDY transposed to E major (F sharp - E - G sharp - A - B). The piano beings with 7/8 ostinato sequence, the strings enter after a few moments. The middle section is a chorale in 6/4 time - also heavily based on "HARDY". A fragment of the A section returns at the end.
Completed January 2011. Premiered January 30, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA
This group of five little pieces (in the vein of Schoenberg) is an exploration of moods, styles, timbres, harmonies, and textures. Each movement is based on a note associated with a letter in the name "Hardy" - the "H" in German usage corresponding to the English "B", the "R" borrowed from the solfege scale degree "ra" (lowered second degree of the scale), the "Y" being changed to "E" as it is pronounced in the name, and the "A" and "D" corresponding with their matching pitches. The first three pieces are more pensive and dark in nature; the last two are decidedly playful. The trio begins with "H" written for solo cello. The piece uses only the five pitches corresponding to the name (B-A-D flat-D-E) and is meditative, somewhat reminiscent of the opening of Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring. The second piece begins on A and is in the Dorian mode. The theme is presented by all members of the trio unison - the piano presenting soft commentary at the end of phrases - and then is immediately repeated in the violin while the cello plays the theme in inversion. The piece is in ABA' form. The third piece, "R" begins with melodic conversation between the cello and violin. The theme is closely related, however the surprising harmonic changes in the piano part changes the context of the melody and thus the meaning. The fourth piece is a Scherzo in triple meter. Though the piano beings with a short four-note introduction, the melody - a German folksong (Hop-Hop-Hop)- is carried by the violin and played pizzicato. The piano performs rapid-fire arpeggios up and down the keyboard. The final piece, "E" is based on an ostinato of the five notes of HARDY transposed to E major (F sharp - E - G sharp - A - B). The piano beings with 7/8 ostinato sequence, the strings enter after a few moments. The middle section is a chorale in 6/4 time - also heavily based on "HARDY". A fragment of the A section returns at the end.
Postcards from Dilsberg for Piano Trio
Premiered July 6, 2008 in Dilsberg, Germany
"Postcards from Dilsberg" is a collection of five musical postcards portraying the history, legends, and people of Dilsberg, Germany. The music was composed in July 2008 by Frances, Emmanuel, and Elizabeth Borowsky during their residency at the historic Dilsberg Castle in Germany. The first movement (Morning in Dilsberg) depicts their restful daily awakening at the top of the Kommendantenhaus, with the sun shining through the windows, the birds chirping, and their view of the Neckar River far below, slowly winding around the mountain. The second movement (Ready for Battle) is a tribute to the numerous battles waged at or over the town and castle. The theme of “Dies Irae” is audible in the middle section. The third movement (The Legendary Sleeping Chamber) creates a magical and mystical atmosphere and was inspired by the legend of the haunted room in the castle – it was said whoever slept in it would not wake again for fifty years. The theme of Johannes Brahms'Lullaby is the foundation of the movement, but is marked by rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic manipulations. The fourth movement (Rose of Dilsberg) depicts the story of Rose, who chose death rather than marrying a man she didn't love. The story is performed by Dilsberg residents each Summer on an outdoor stage. A solemn version of Wagner's Bridal Chorus and a short fragment of Chopin's Funeral March permeate the middle section. The final movement (Triumphal March) celebrates Dilsberg's 800th anniversary, which was celebrated in the year 2008 during the Borowsky's stay in Dilsberg. A DVD recording (including scenic photos of Dilsberg) was released by ICRecords in 2009 and is available for purchase (http://www.intermusearts.org/shop/).
"Postcards from Dilsberg" is a collection of five musical postcards portraying the history, legends, and people of Dilsberg, Germany. The music was composed in July 2008 by Frances, Emmanuel, and Elizabeth Borowsky during their residency at the historic Dilsberg Castle in Germany. The first movement (Morning in Dilsberg) depicts their restful daily awakening at the top of the Kommendantenhaus, with the sun shining through the windows, the birds chirping, and their view of the Neckar River far below, slowly winding around the mountain. The second movement (Ready for Battle) is a tribute to the numerous battles waged at or over the town and castle. The theme of “Dies Irae” is audible in the middle section. The third movement (The Legendary Sleeping Chamber) creates a magical and mystical atmosphere and was inspired by the legend of the haunted room in the castle – it was said whoever slept in it would not wake again for fifty years. The theme of Johannes Brahms'Lullaby is the foundation of the movement, but is marked by rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic manipulations. The fourth movement (Rose of Dilsberg) depicts the story of Rose, who chose death rather than marrying a man she didn't love. The story is performed by Dilsberg residents each Summer on an outdoor stage. A solemn version of Wagner's Bridal Chorus and a short fragment of Chopin's Funeral March permeate the middle section. The final movement (Triumphal March) celebrates Dilsberg's 800th anniversary, which was celebrated in the year 2008 during the Borowsky's stay in Dilsberg. A DVD recording (including scenic photos of Dilsberg) was released by ICRecords in 2009 and is available for purchase (http://www.intermusearts.org/shop/).
Solo Book for Winds (for Flute/Trumpet/Clarinet/Saxophone)
This collection of original songs is designed for students who have studied their instruments for a limited time (Level 1-2). The songs in the collection are approximately one minute in length and are in keys and meters commonly found in most instrumental methods. The ranges of the songs seldom go above one octave. There are fourteen songs in the collection sequenced by level of difficulty. There is great variety within the collection as each of the songs as its own unique character. For each song, there is a solo score and a solo/piano-accompaniment score. As an aid, the collection includes a CD with two tracks: one with only the solo part, one with only the accompaniment part. Although the accompaniments sound musically sophisticated, they were designed to be playable by the younger pianist. In the event that no pianist is available, the soloist could use the CD as his or her accompaniment. Click here for sound samples and to buy.
"Let Us Go to Jerusalem, the City of Peace"
"Let Us Go to Jerusalem, the City of Peace" (dedicated to the youth of the Middle East) was premiered by the King David String Ensemble of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra at the Embassy of Israel in Washington D.C. on February 6, 2003. Ms. Borowsky was honored with the Jerusalem Medal.
Piano, Piano & Violin, Piano Trio, String Orchestra, Cello Ensemble, Piano & Cello.
American Tribute to Chopin
Inspired by Chopin's Prelude in E minor, and Mazurka Op. 24 No. 1 in G minor. Premiered at the "American Tribute to Chopin Gala Concert" on March 6, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.
For piano, 6 celli, and percussion (optional). Also for piano, violin, and cello or piano and cello.
For piano, 6 celli, and percussion (optional). Also for piano, violin, and cello or piano and cello.
Northern Lights
Virtuoso piano piece depicting the grandeur of the Scandinavian countries. Powerful waterfalls, majestic fjords, and the northern lights.
