Polish composer KAROL SZYMANOWSKI is one of the most remarkable figures of Polish culture from the first half of the twentieth century, the most prominent Polish composer after Frederic Chopin, and “father” of modern Polish music. Apart from being a composer, he was a pianist, educator, music critic, traveller, explorer of ancient cultures, writer, poet, librettist, and artist. Szymanowski was born in the village of Tymoszówka, then in the Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine). His family had interest in music and initially he studied piano with his father, later enrolling in the School of Music and in 1901 to 1905 continuing his studies in Warsaw. Around that time he visited Italy. He is one of the co-founders of the Young Poland Movement (1905), which included celebrated musicians as its members. And although the society was soon disbanded, it continued in its purpose to foster and propagate the music of younger composers while the pieces they wrote were being published and performed owing to the support lent by Prince Władysław Lubomirski. In the subsequent years, Szymanowski engaged in active concert career and travelled extensively, performing in Warsaw, Berlin and Leipzig, making another trip to Italy, and settling in Vienna In 1912 after signing a ten-year contract with the Universal Edition. The years 1914 to 1915 saw him make travels to Italy (Sicily), North Africa, Paris, London, Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg, until finally, in the aftermath of the October Revolution, he established himself in Warsaw. His passion for travel took him to the United States in 1921 along with a pair of his colleagues, friends and distinguished performers – violinist Paweł Kochański and pianist Arthur Rubinstein. The next year, he gave a successful authorial concert in Paris. After 1922, he started making regular visits and finally set up residence in Zakopane. For five years he served as rector of the Higher School of Music in Warsaw (1927 – 1932). Despite his poor health, he continued to perform in concerts in many an European country, including Bulgaria, but afflicted at once with health and financial issues, Szymanowski practically gave up composing after 1934. In 1937, he was admitted to a sanatorium in Lausanne, where he died of tuberculosis at the age of 57.

Szymanovski’s oeuvre reflects the interests and aesthetical aspirations of the composer. His early works written prior to the First World War display a strong affinity for the music of Frederick Chopin, Alexander Skryabin, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. His next period is marked by a fascination with the Orient and the cultures of the Mediterranean, his work show influences of the French Impressionists Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Many of his most famous and loved compositions originate in this period. His original personal style was formed after 1921 – the composer drew inspiration from Polish folklore, especially from the Podhale mountain region surrounding Zakopane, and managed to create nationally emblematic musical output. Szymanowski left a substantial legacy. He produced four symphonies, two violin concertos, the operas Hagith and King Roger, the latter labelled his opus magnum; the ballet pantomimes Harnasie and Mandragora, the oratorio Stabat Mater, as well as numerous works for piano and violin, vocal and choral compositions, etc. Even today, his works enjoy popularity with audiences, and are performed and recorded.