Personalities | Witold Lutosławski | Contemporary | Classical

(Ve’-told Loo-to-slwaf’-ske) 1913–94
Polish composer

A talented violinist and pianist, Lutosławski studied composition with Witold Maliszewski (1873–1939). Early works (such as the Little Suite, 1950) demonstrate his interest in folk sources, a preoccupation that became all but obligatory with the advent of socialist realism in Poland in the late 1940s. But while publicly he followed the party line with works such as the highly successful Concerto for Orchestra (1954), he also experimented privately with 12-note rows and chord formations (though without following serial principles). The cultural thaw in the late 1950s enabled the performance of works that expressed those preoccupations – such as Musique funèbre (‘Music of Mourning’, 1954–8) – as well as, later on, those that involved limited aleatory techniques (freedom in the timing of individual instrumental entries within the confines of a static harmony, a device first used in Venetian Games, 1960–61). His later works display an alluring sound world, associated with surrealism in works such as the Robert Desnos setting Les espaces du sommeil (‘The Intervals of Sleep’, 1975). Among his best-known works is the Third Symphony, commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1972 and completed in the 1980s.

Recommended Recording:
Concerto for Orchestra, Symphony No. 3, Chicago SO (cond) Daniel Barenboim (Erato/Warner)

Introduction | Contemporary | Classical
Personalities | (Sir) Paul McCartney | Contemporary | Classical

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.