A composer, pianist and conductor, WOJCIECH KILAR he is among the most active creative musicians of the Polish avant-garde since the 1960s. In 1959 – 1960, having received a French government scholarship, he studied in Paris with eminent teacher Nadia Boulanger. Having completed his university education, Kilar worked as assistant to his professor, Bolesław Woytowicz. He specialised in composition in Darmstadt in 1957. His early avant-garde works were presented at the first Warsaw Autumn Festival. He was active as composer and managed to establish himself as one of the most important representatives of Polish avant-garde. The premiere of the symphony poem Krzesany at the Warsaw Autumn Festival (1974) became an event that sparked a wave of discussions. Following his period of involvement with avant-garde techniques, the work utilizes a musical language based on the minimalist approach and elicits a warm reception from listeners, but professional criticism is restrained. Its texture is lucid, made up of expressive intonational and rhythmic motifs with folk elements. He is the author of 5 symphonies and other orchestral works, two piano concertos, choral-orchestral works, etc.In the 1970s he began composing film music, has worked with directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Keszlowski, Krzysztof Zanussi. He has received worldwide recognition as a composer and has been honored with many most prestigious awards.