Henryk Mikolaj Górecki (1933-2010) is most strongly associated with substantial symphonic and choral music. In this archival study, Jarred Dunn illuminates Górecki as a piano composer, whose piano music includes miniatures, experimental works, and character pieces. In these chapters are the first reprinting of primary sources: Górecki's autograph manuscripts and comments on their performance from his personal composition notebook Spis moich utworów (List of my Works).

Jarred Dunn discusses Górecki's piano music historically, analytically, and practically. He describes the unmistakable pianistic landscapes of Górecki's Early and Late works, from Preludes Op. 1 and Sonata Op. 6 (1955-1956) to the last three miniatures (1990-2008). Dunn inserts observations of the posthumously-published works from both periods, introduced here for the first time. A detailed chapter on pedagogical approaches and related repertoire is rooted in Dunn's collaboration with Anna Górecka, the composer's concert pianist daughter.

Górecki's piano music - indeed the piano itself - underpins cardinal moments of his life: early loss and first love, mature reflection. In his piano music, we find Górecki ever-deepening his understanding of the piano and its role in his evolving sound world.