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Witold Lutosławski
Year 2013 was announced as Witold Lutosławski Year by
the Sejm. Born on 25 January 1913 in Warsaw, Witold Lutosławski
remains one of the most prominent Polish composers
of all times, and his works are key to the understanding
of the trends, directions and changes in the 20th century
music.
Drawing on the great European tradition – the achievements
of Haydn, Beethoven and Chopin, and also Debussy and
Bartók – Lutosławski created his own musical language,
and his works are equally appealing to the intellect and
emotions of listeners.
Lutosławski’s compositions underwent numerous transformations,
from the neoclassical to a mature individual
style, and the many masterpieces by Lutosławski include
Concerto for Orchestra (1954), his groundbreaking work
Funeral Music (1958), avant-garde Venetian Games
(1961) and Trois poèmes d’Henri Michaux (1963), vocal
works, piano and cello concertos or Symphonies 3 and 4
and Chantefleurs et Chantefables (Songflowers and
Songfables) composed towards the end of his life.
Awarded with numerous honoris causa titles and major
decorations, also Poland’s highest decoration – Order
of the White Eagle, Lutosławski, enjoying international
fame, remained sensitive to the needs of others and those
of his homeland. Throughout his life, he was involved
in discrete charity, and also in important social movements,
e.g. through participating in the “Solidarity” activities
of the 1980s.
He died in Warsaw on 7 February 1994.
In the often quoted, very accurate reflection on
Lutosławski’s significance for Polish musical culture,
an outstanding musicologist, Michał Bristiger wrote
on 8 February 1994, just after the composer’s death:
“His departure was very painful to us, and it was a seismic
vibration of all our culture. (…) And what was the Artist to
the world? What is he? What will he remain? A benchmark
for the entire development of music in our century (…)”.
Kamila Stępień-Kutera