Great Polish Composers: Zygmunt Noskowski

May 2, 1846 - July 23, 1909

 

Zygmunt Noskowski was one of the most important figures in Polish music during the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century and was considered Poland's leading composer.  Virtually every famous Polish composer had been taught by Noskowski, including the greats such as Karol Szymanowski and Grzegorz Fitelberg.  Among his students was Apolinary Szeluto.

Zygmunt was born in Warsaw where he studied violin and composition at the Warsaw Conservatory.  From 1864 to 1867, he  studied in Berlin with the renown Friedrich Kiel, thanks to a scholarship.   After having served in various capacities, Noskowski finally returned to Warsaw in 1880 where he served as head of the Warsaw Music Society from 1880 to 1902.  He spent the remaining years of his life in Warsaw.

Among his repertoire, Noskowski created not only his orchestral compositions, for which he was well known, but also opera, chamber music, instrumental sonatas and vocal works.

Wilhelm Atlmann, a famous critic of the time, commented that Noskowski's chamber music was "very effective and deserving of public attention and performance."

Selected works

Symphony No. 1 in A major (1874-1875)

Morskie Oko, Concert Overture for Orchestra, Op. 19

Symphony No. 2 in C minor, "Elegiac" (1875/9)

Polonaise élegiaque in E minor, orchestra (1885)

The Steppe, symphonic poem, Op. 66

March funèbre, Op. 53, orchestra (1897)

Symphony No. 3 in F major, "From Spring to Spring" (1903)

Symphonic Variations on Chopin's Prelude in A, Op. 28/7, subtitled "From the Life of a Nation"

Livia Quintilla, opera (1898)

Wyrok (The Judgment), opera

Zemsta za mur graniczny (Revenge for the Boundary Wall), opera

String Quartet (1875)

Fantasy for String Quartet (1879)

Piano Quartet in D minor, Op. 8 (1880)

 

Recordings

Valentina Seferinova: Piano Works vol. 1: CD ; Impressions Op. 29; 3 Pieces Op. 35; Moments Melodiques Op. 36: Contes Op. 37; Feuille de Trefle Op. 44; - Acte Resalable AP0188.

Four Strings Quartet: Chamber works vol. 1: CD ; String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 Acte Préalable AP0234.

Jolanta Sosnowska: Chamber Works vol. 3: CD ; Violin sonata in A minor, Violin miniatures Acte Préalable AP0248.

Symphonic poem "Step" Orchestre des Champs Élysées - Philippe Herreweghe (2012 Narodowy Instytut Frederika Chopina / The Frederyk Chopin Institute.