Czeslaw Niemen
Encyclopedia
Czesław Niemen (ˈt͡ʂɛswaf ˈɲɛ̃mɛ̃n/; February 16, 1939 – January 17, 2004) real name Czesław Juliusz Wydrzycki, was one of the most important and original Polish singer-songwriters and rock balladeers of the last quarter-century, singing mainly in Polish.
Niemen was born in Stare Wasiliszki, Białystok Voivodeship, interwar Poland (now in Grodno Province
, Belarus
). After World War II it became a part of Byelorussian SSR
and in the 1950s he was allowed to move to Poland. He made his debut in the early 1960s, singing Polish rock
and soul music
. He possessed an unusually wide voice range and equally rich intonation
. He was also an ardent composer and a keyboard player. Soon after his first successful concerts in France, he started to use the pseudonym
Niemen instead of his real name, gaining wider notoriety in Poland and making it easier to pronounce by foreigners (Niemen is a Polish pronunciation of the Neman River
and this way he wanted to mark his birth country). His song of 1967, "Dziwny jest ten świat" (Strange Is This World) is commonly acknowledged to be the most important Polish protest song
of that era (in 1972 an English version was also recorded). He was one of the first Polish performers to wear long hair and colourful clothes and introducing the style of psychedelia to communist
Poland, which annoyed the officials. The first three LP album
's Niemen recorded with his band "Akwarele" (Watercolours). Subsequently, he recorded with his other new bands: "Enigmatic", "Grupa Niemen" and "Aerolit". In 1969 he changed musical style to progressive rock
while recording the monumental album Enigmatic. The most notable song from it was "Bema pamięci żałobny rapsod" (A Mournful Rhapsody in Memory of Józef Bem
), based on the 19th century poem by Cyprian Kamil Norwid. The rest of Enigmatic songs were also in sung poetry
form. Niemen played Hammond organ
, later mellotron
and Moog synthesizer
on his records.
In the early 1970s, Niemen recorded three English language
albums under the CBS
label. In 1974 he recorded Mourner's Rhapsody with Jan Hammer
and Rick Laird
from Mahavishnu Orchestra. In the seventies, Niemen turned to jazz-rock fusion and electronic music
(Katharsis album). In 1972 he also contributed with a song performed by him in "Wesele" (The Wedding (1972 film)
) by director
Andrzej Wajda
, laureate of an honorary Oscar
. Later, Niemen also composed film soundtrack
s and theater music. In the 1990s he showed interest in art painting and computer graphics
. He died of cancer
in Warsaw
.
He won the Sopot International Song Festival
in 1979.
In 1964 at Congress Hall, Warsaw, Niemen together with his group played as a support act to Marlene Dietrich
in concert. She heard his song "Czy mnie jeszcze pamiętasz" ("Do you still remember me?") there. She enjoyed it so much and soon recorded her own version of it "Mutter, Hast du Mir Vergeben" ("Mother, have you forgiven me?") writing her own lyrics for the song.
, "Aerolit", female vocal band Alibabki.
Niemen was born in Stare Wasiliszki, Białystok Voivodeship, interwar Poland (now in Grodno Province
Hrodna Voblast
Hrodna Voblast or Grodno Oblast is a voblast in northwestern Belarus.The capital - Grodno is the biggest city of the province. It lies on the Neman River. Grodno's existence is attested to from 1127. Two castles dating from the 14th - 18th centuries are located here on the steep right bank of...
, Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
). After World War II it became a part of Byelorussian SSR
Byelorussian SSR
The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic was one of fifteen constituent republics of the Soviet Union. It was one of the four original founding members of the Soviet Union in 1922, together with the Ukrainian SSR, the Transcaucasian SFSR and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic...
and in the 1950s he was allowed to move to Poland. He made his debut in the early 1960s, singing Polish rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
and soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
. He possessed an unusually wide voice range and equally rich intonation
Intonation (music)
Intonation, in music, is a musician's realization of pitch accuracy, or the pitch accuracy of a musical instrument. Intonation may be flat, sharp, or both, successively or simultaneously.-Interval, melody, and harmony:...
. He was also an ardent composer and a keyboard player. Soon after his first successful concerts in France, he started to use the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Niemen instead of his real name, gaining wider notoriety in Poland and making it easier to pronounce by foreigners (Niemen is a Polish pronunciation of the Neman River
Neman River
Neman or Niemen or Nemunas, is a major Eastern European river rising in Belarus and flowing through Lithuania before draining into the Curonian Lagoon and then into the Baltic Sea at Klaipėda. It is the northern border between Lithuania and Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast in its lower reaches...
and this way he wanted to mark his birth country). His song of 1967, "Dziwny jest ten świat" (Strange Is This World) is commonly acknowledged to be the most important Polish protest song
Protest song
A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs . It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre...
of that era (in 1972 an English version was also recorded). He was one of the first Polish performers to wear long hair and colourful clothes and introducing the style of psychedelia to communist
Communist state
A communist state is a state with a form of government characterized by single-party rule or dominant-party rule of a communist party and a professed allegiance to a Leninist or Marxist-Leninist communist ideology as the guiding principle of the state...
Poland, which annoyed the officials. The first three LP album
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
's Niemen recorded with his band "Akwarele" (Watercolours). Subsequently, he recorded with his other new bands: "Enigmatic", "Grupa Niemen" and "Aerolit". In 1969 he changed musical style to progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
while recording the monumental album Enigmatic. The most notable song from it was "Bema pamięci żałobny rapsod" (A Mournful Rhapsody in Memory of Józef Bem
Józef Bem
Józef Zachariasz Bem was a Polish general, an Ottoman Pasha and a national hero of Poland and Hungary, and a figure intertwined with other European nationalisms...
), based on the 19th century poem by Cyprian Kamil Norwid. The rest of Enigmatic songs were also in sung poetry
Sung poetry
Sung poetry is a broad and imprecise music genre widespread in Eastern European countries, such as Poland and the Baltic States, to describe songs consisting of a poem and music written specially for that text. The compositions usually feature a delicate melody and scarce musical background, often...
form. Niemen played Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, later mellotron
Mellotron
The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
and Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
on his records.
In the early 1970s, Niemen recorded three English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
albums under the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
label. In 1974 he recorded Mourner's Rhapsody with Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s...
and Rick Laird
Rick Laird
Richard Quentin 'Rick' Laird is a jazz musician, born on 5 February 1941. He is a bass player best known for his place in The Mahavishnu Orchestra....
from Mahavishnu Orchestra. In the seventies, Niemen turned to jazz-rock fusion and electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
(Katharsis album). In 1972 he also contributed with a song performed by him in "Wesele" (The Wedding (1972 film)
The Wedding (1972 film)
Wesele is a motion picture made in 1972 in Poland by Andrzej Wajda as an adaptation of a play by the same title written by Stanisław Wyspiański in 1901. Wajda also directed "Wesele" for the theatre....
) by director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Andrzej Wajda
Andrzej Wajda
Andrzej Wajda is a Polish film director. Recipient of an honorary Oscar, he is possibly the most prominent member of the unofficial "Polish Film School"...
, laureate of an honorary Oscar
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
. Later, Niemen also composed film soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
s and theater music. In the 1990s he showed interest in art painting and computer graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
. He died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
.
He won the Sopot International Song Festival
Sopot International Song Festival
The Sopot International Song Festival is an international song contest held in Sopot, Poland. It was the biggest Polish music festival altogether with the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, and one of the biggest annual song contest in Europe...
in 1979.
In 1964 at Congress Hall, Warsaw, Niemen together with his group played as a support act to Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer.Dietrich remained popular throughout her long career by continually re-inventing herself, professionally and characteristically. In the Berlin of the 1920s, she acted on the stage and in silent films...
in concert. She heard his song "Czy mnie jeszcze pamiętasz" ("Do you still remember me?") there. She enjoyed it so much and soon recorded her own version of it "Mutter, Hast du Mir Vergeben" ("Mother, have you forgiven me?") writing her own lyrics for the song.
Niemen's support bands
Niemen cooperated with the following bands; some of them were support musisians, while others were independent bands: "Akwarele" ("Watercolours"), "I Niemen" ("And Niemen") (1969-1970), also under the name "Niemen Enigmatic"), "Grupa Niemen" (made of the members of Silesian Blues Band), Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni
Niebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
, "Aerolit", female vocal band Alibabki.
Aerolit
Aerolit accompanied Czesław Niemen in 1974–1978. Initially it was formed from young musicians of the rock band Krzak: Jacek Gazda, Jan Błędowski, Maciej Radziejewski, Piotr Dziemski. The word means "aerolite" in Polish.Discography
- 1974: Niemen AerolitNiemen AerolitNiemen Aerolit - Czesław Niemen's album recorded in 1975 with his new band "Aerolit".- Track listning :# "Cztery ściany świata" - 10:24 # "Pielgrzym" - 9:22 # "Kamyk" - 7:16...
- 1978: Idée Fixe
- 2007: 41 Potencjometrów Pana Jana41 Potencjometrów Pana Jana41 Potencjometrów Pana Jana is a posthumously released live album by Czesław Niemen. It contains recordings from an improvised concert, performed at the Riviera club, Warsaw, on 9th May 1974 by his "Aerolit" project...
– a live record of a 1974 concert from tapes found in archives of Polish Radio.The record was "cut and mixed" with scotch tape and scissors by Czeslaw Niemen himself and Janusz Kosinski.
Studio albums
- 1967 Dziwny jest ten światDziwny jest ten swiatDziwny jest ten świat - First Czesław Niemen's solo album released in 1967. At 20 December 1968, as first album in communist Poland, "Dziwny jest ten świat" was awarded with Golden record ....
("Strange Is This World") - 1968 SukcesSukcesSukces - Second Czesław Niemen's solo album released in 1968. Album was recorded with band Akwarele.- Track listning :# "Płonąca stodoła" – 2:32...
("Success") - 1969 Czy mnie jeszcze pamiętasz?Czy mnie jeszcze pamietasz?Czy mnie jeszcze pamiętasz? - Third Czesław Niemen's solo album released in 1969. Last one recorded with Akwarele.- Track listening :...
("Do You Still Remember Me?") - 1970 EnigmaticEnigmatic (album)Enigmatic - Czesław Niemen's rock album released in 1970. It is considered to be the best Polish rock album ever.Inspired in 1968 by Wojciech Młynarski Niemen decided to make his new album with polish poetry as lyrics...
- 1971 Człowiek jam niewdzięczny – aka "Czerwony Album" ("Ungrateful Human I Am" aka "Red Album")
- 1972 Strange Is This WorldStrange Is This WorldStrange Is This World is the first English-language album by Polish rock artist Niemen. The album was released in 1972 in West Germany on the CBS label .- Track listing :...
(English lyrics, released in West Germany) - 1973 Ode to VenusOde to VenusOde to Venus - Second Niemen's English-language album recorded in 1973. Album was released in West Germany by CBS...
(English lyrics, released in West Germany) - 1973 Niemen Vol. 1MarionetkiNiemen Vol.1 and Niemen Vol.2 - Czesław Niemen's double album released in two separate issues in 1973...
and Niemen Vol. 2MarionetkiNiemen Vol.1 and Niemen Vol.2 - Czesław Niemen's double album released in two separate issues in 1973...
– aka "Marionetki" ("Puppets") - 1973 Russische LiederRussische LiederRussische Lieder - Niemen's Russian-language album recorded in 1973 and released in West Germany by CBS...
("Russian Songs", Russian lyrics, released in West Germany) - 1974 Mourner's RhapsodyMourner's RhapsodyMourner's Rhapsody - English-language album by Czesław Niemen. Recorded in 1974 in USA. Album was released in West Germany , United Kingdoms and United States...
(English lyrics, released in West Germany, UK and US) - 1975 Niemen AerolitNiemen AerolitNiemen Aerolit - Czesław Niemen's album recorded in 1975 with his new band "Aerolit".- Track listning :# "Cztery ściany świata" - 10:24 # "Pielgrzym" - 9:22 # "Kamyk" - 7:16...
- 1976 KatharsisKatharsis (album)Katharsis - Czesław Niemen's concept album released in 1976. Whole concept is about dead ends and traps on the road of expanding human civilization and space exploration...
- 1978 Idée Fixe
- 1980 PostscriptumPostscriptum (album)Postscriptum is an album by Czesław Niemen released in 1980. "Dziwny jest ten świat '79" is new version of best known Niemen song "Dziwny jest ten świat".- Track listening :# "Dziwny jest ten świat '79" - 4:14...
- 1982 PrzeprowadzkaPrzeprowadzkaPrzeprowadzka - album by Czesław Niemen released on compact cassette in 1982. It contains music recorded for Janusz Łęski's films "Rodzina Leśniewskich" , "Kłusownik" and "Przygrywka"...
("Moving") - 1989 Terra DeflorataTerra DeflorataTerra Deflorata was an album by Czesław Niemen released in 1989 and re-released in 1991 on CD as Extended Version.- Track listening :# "Spojrzę za siebie" – 7:14# "Klaustrofobia" – 5:36# "Status mojego ja" – 5:35# "Zezowata bieda" – 4:44...
- 1991 Terra Deflorata (extended version)
- 1993 Mouner's Rhapsody (extended version) (US)
- 2001 spodchmurykapeluszaSpodchmurykapeluszaspodchmurykapelusza - Last studio album by Czesław Niemen released in 2001.- Track listing :# "Spokojnym krokiem" - 3:41# "Trąbodzwonnik" - 3:11# "Nie wyszeptuj" - 3:10# "Śmiech Megalozaura" - 5:25...
("fromunderthecloudofahat")
Live albums
- 2007 41 Potencjometrów Pana Jana41 Potencjometrów Pana Jana41 Potencjometrów Pana Jana is a posthumously released live album by Czesław Niemen. It contains recordings from an improvised concert, performed at the Riviera club, Warsaw, on 9th May 1974 by his "Aerolit" project...
("41 Mr. John's Potentiometers") - 2009 Kattorna/Pamflet na ludzkość ("Kattorna/Lampoon for Mankind")
Compilations
- 1979 The Best of NiemenThe Best of NiemenThe Best of Niemen - compilation of Czesław Niemen's greatest hits released between 1966 and 1969.- Track listning :# "Pod papugami" - 3:15...
- 1989 Złote przeboje Czesława Niemena ("Golden hits of Czesław Niemen")
- 1991 Gwiazdy mocnego uderzenia: Czesław Niemen (first singles)
- 1995 Sen o WarszawieSen o WarszawieSen o Warszawie - compilation of Czesław Niemen's first singles. All songs were remastered in 1995.The song Sen o Warszawie is the anthem of the football club Legia Warszawa, being sung by fans before every match....
("Dream of Warsaw") - 2000 Czas jak rzeka: Złota kolekcja ("Time Like River: Golden Collection")
- 2008 Spiżowy krzykSpizowy krzykSpiżowy krzyk is a compilation album of songs by Czesław Niemen selected by his wife Małgorzata Niemen-Wydrzycka.- Track listening :#"Spiżowy krzyk" – 2:16...
("Brass scream")
Box Sets
- 2002 od początku IOd poczatku Iod początku I - Czesław Niemen's Box Set released in 2002. It contains six albums:* Sen o Warszawie* Dziwny jest ten świat* Sukces* Czy mnie jeszcze pamiętasz?* Enigmatic* Człowiek jam niewdzięczny...
("from beginning I") - 2003 od początku IIOd poczatku IIod początku II - Continuation of Czesław Niemen's Box Set "od początku". It contains six albums:*Marionetki*Niemen Aerolit*Katharsis*Idée Fixe I*Idée Fixe II*Postscriptum ...
("from beginning II")
Singles and EPs
- 1962 – Adieu Tristesse / El Soldado De Levita
- 1963 – Na swojską nutę (1) (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1963 – Na swojską nutę (2) (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1963 – W rytmie Madisona (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1964 – Les Noir et Blue – Les Idoles de Pologne (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1964 – Locomotion (EP) (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1964 – Czas jak rzeka (EP) (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1964 – Hippy, Hippy Shake (EP) (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1964 – Jeszcze sen (EP) (with Niebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-CzarniNiebiesko-Czarni were one of most popular Polish rock groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Franciszek Walicki.Czesław Niemen played in the band for several years....
) - 1966 – A Varsovie (EP)
- 1966 – Sen o Warszawie (EP)
- 1967 – Dziwny jest ten świat (EP)
- 1968 – Obok nas / Baw się w ciuciubabkę
- 1969 – Io senza lei / Arcobaleno
- 1969 – Strange is This World (demo)
- 1969 – Una luce mai accesa / 24 ore spese bene con amore
- 1969 – Re di cuori
- 1970 – Oggi forse no / Domani
- 1971 – Strange is This World (demo 2)
- 1972 – Romanca Cherubina / Mazurek
- 1972 – Strange is This World / We've Got The Sun
- 1975 – Mleczna droga / Dorożką na Księżyc
- 1979 – Nim przyjdzie wiosna / Pokój
- 1982 – Witaj przygodo zielona / Przeprowadzka
- 1986 – High Horse / Pod papugami
- 2002 – Jagody szaleju
External links
- Czesław Niemen at ProgArchives.com – photographs, reviews, music, discography Niemen, partial dyscography incl. singles
- Forum