Witold Lutosławski
1913 - 1994
Polish
Summary
Critical Acclaim
Lutosławski has long been acknowledged as one of the most significant composers of the 20th century. His works have earned a place in the orchestral repertory unequalled by those of any other contemporary composer, and for the last 30 years he has been much in demand as conductor of his own work with all the leading orchestras in Europe, North America and the Far East. Although he is often described as 'a Polish composer', a narrowly nationalistic label is inappropriate for a creative artist whose musical roots are more cosmopolitan and more widely European. - Charles Bodman Rae, The Independent
(Symphony No 3) ...so dazzling in its originality, so powerful in its use of the orchestra’s resources and so remarkable in its ability to communicate. ... a challenging, completely intensive journey in sound which consistently surprises us and grabs us up in its visceral sweep. - Joe Cunniff, The Chicago Leader
Biography
Witold Lutosławski was indisputably one of the major composers of the twentieth century. Born in Warsaw in 1913, he showed prodigious musical and intellectual talent from an early age. His composition studies in Warsaw ended at a politically difficult time for Poland so his plans for further study in Paris were replaced by a period which included military training, imprisonment by the Germans and escape back to Warsaw, where he and his compatriot Andrzej Panufnik played in cafes their own compositions and transcriptions. After the war, the Stalinist regime banned his first symphony (1941-47) as 'formalist', but he continued to compose and in 1958 his Musique Funèbre, in memory of Bartok, established his international reputation. His own personal aleatoric technique whereby the performers have freedom within certain controlled parameters was first demonstrated in his Jeux Venitiens (1961) and is to be found in almost all the later music Over the years, Witold Lutosławski was frequently inspired by particular ensembles and artists including the London Sinfonietta, Sir Peter Pears, Heinz and Ursula Holliger, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Mstislav Rostropovich and Anne-Sophie Mutter. His Symphony No. 4 was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and received its world premiere in February 1993 under the baton of the composer. A powerful work, it reflected his increasing concern with expansive melody. Among many international prizes awarded to this most modest man were the UNESCO Prize (1959,1968), the French order of Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (1982), Grawemeyer Award (1985), Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal (1986), in the last year of his life, the Swedish Polar Music Prize and the Inamori Foundation Prize, Kyoto, for his outstanding contribution to contemporary European music, and, posthumously, the International Music Award for best large-scale composition for the fourth symphony. Lutosławski's contribution to the musical world was enormous and his loss in February 1994, at the age of 81, will continue to be deeply felt.
© Chester Music
Lutosławski 100
Below are a series of videos taken from the Philharmonia Orchestra website celebrating the Lutosławski Centenary Woven Words
Early Life
This film focuses on the composer's early life and beginnings in music. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen travelled to Poland to discover how tragic and traumatic events in Lutosławski's early life shaped his compositions and personality.
World War II
This film focuses on the composer's struggle for survival in Warsaw during World War II. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen traveled to Poland to find out more. Lutosławski expert Charles Bodman Rae also helps bring this terrifying moment in history to life.
Stalinist Years
Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visited Polska Radio in Warsaw to talk about Lutosławski's work during Soviet rule. They view manuscripts of his compositions for radio and also pop music, which he composed under the pseudonym, Derwid.
Maturity
Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visit the Filharmonia Narodowa (National Concert Hall) in Warsaw and talk about the composer's later life. In his later years, Lutosławski flourished and finally found his distinctive musical voice.
© Chester Music
Lutosławski 100
Below are a series of videos taken from the Philharmonia Orchestra website celebrating the Lutosławski Centenary Woven Words
Early Life
This film focuses on the composer's early life and beginnings in music. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen travelled to Poland to discover how tragic and traumatic events in Lutosławski's early life shaped his compositions and personality.
World War II
This film focuses on the composer's struggle for survival in Warsaw during World War II. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen traveled to Poland to find out more. Lutosławski expert Charles Bodman Rae also helps bring this terrifying moment in history to life.
Stalinist Years
Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visited Polska Radio in Warsaw to talk about Lutosławski's work during Soviet rule. They view manuscripts of his compositions for radio and also pop music, which he composed under the pseudonym, Derwid.
Maturity
Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visit the Filharmonia Narodowa (National Concert Hall) in Warsaw and talk about the composer's later life. In his later years, Lutosławski flourished and finally found his distinctive musical voice.
News
Performances
18th April 2024
- SOLOISTS
- Alisa Weilerstein
- PERFORMERS
- Seattle Symphony
- CONDUCTOR
- Shiyeon Sung
- LOCATION
- Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, United States of America
18th April 2024
- SOLOISTS
- Pablo Ferrandez
- PERFORMERS
- Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
- CONDUCTOR
- Andris Poga
- LOCATION
- Stavanger Konserthus, Stavanger, Norway
20th April 2024
- SOLOISTS
- Alisa Weilerstein
- PERFORMERS
- Seattle Symphony
- CONDUCTOR
- Shiyeon Sung
- LOCATION
- Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, United States of America
24th April 2024
- PERFORMERS
- Münchener Kammerorchester
- CONDUCTOR
- Bas Wiegers
- LOCATION
- Stadtsaal, Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
25th April 2024
- SOLOISTS
- Reinis Zarinš
- PERFORMERS
- Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
- CONDUCTOR
- Andris Poga
- LOCATION
- Great Guild, Riga, Latvia
Features
- The Best Recordings of 2022 from Wise Music Classical
- Wise Music Classical invites you to enjoy a selection of the best recordings of 2022, featuring composers from across our international family of publishing houses.
- Salonen Selects Lutosławski
- Esa Pekka Salonen recollects: "Witold was somehow surprised when I announced that I wanted to conduct the Second Symphony. He asked if I really liked it. .... "