WorldView Episode 61: Witold Lutosławski
Episode sixty-one of WorldView features Witold Lutosławski, a Polish artist considered to be one of the most important composers from his country. An active conductor and writer of 20th century classical music, Lutosławski was awarded the Polish Order of the White Eagle, the country’s highest honor, in 1994.
Witold Roman Lutosławski was born in Warsaw in January of 1913, the son of parents in the Polish landed nobility. His father was a member of the National Democratic Party, and the Lutosławski family relocated to Moscow during the Prussian invasion in 1915. Continued conflict in the region prevented them from returning to Warsaw until 1919, when a young Witold began instruction in the piano. He graduated from the Warsaw University Conservatory with degrees in piano performance and composition in the 1930s.
After the outbreak of WWII, Lutosławski served in the Polish armed forces as a radio operator. He was captured by German soldiers, but escape while en route to a labor camp. After his escape, Lutosławski walked over 250 miles back to Warsaw. He began to make a living off of participation in various small ensembles, and from limited profits from his compositions. He began working on his first symphony in 1941; the work was initially performed in 1948. It remains one of his most well-known works.
During the Soviet era, Lutosławski and other regional artists were forced to self-censor many of their works or risk retribution from the Stalinist government. The composer shifted towards social-driven music, composing children’s songs and other utilitarian works. By the 1980s, Lutosławski had amassed a considerable international reputation. Before his death in 1994, he had written hundreds of opus works.
Episode sixty-one of WorldView features Lutosławski’s “Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Orchestra”, performed by Antoni Wit and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. The recording features Polish clarinetist Zbigniew Kaleta.
WorldView Episode Sixty-One Playlist:
Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI, “Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Orchestra”, {Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit, Zbigniew Kaleta (clar)} - Naxos
Aaron COPLAND, “Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra, with Harp and Piano”, {Jon Manasse (clar), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor} - XLNT Music
Gabriela Lena FRANK, “Hilos (Threads) for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano”, {ALIAS Chamber Ensemble, Gabriela Lena Frank (pf)} - Naxos
WorldView is a classical music radio show featuring composers from everywhere in the world - except Western Europe. Tune in to hear works by lesser-known artists such as Nancy Dalberg and Isang Yun, and widen your knowledge of classical music. Hinke Younger hosts each week’s episode of WorldView on Mondays at 9AM and 6PM (with a rebroadcast Saturdays at 2PM) on Charlottesvilleclassical.org.