Henri Seroka (born 1949) is a

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct language ...

singer and composer. Although he began his career as a singer, he is known mostly for his compositions, especially film music, and for composing Belgium's official song for the 1984 Olympic Games.Wangermée, Robert and Vandervellen, Pascale (eds.). "Seroka, Henri" in ''Dictionnaire de la chanson en Wallonie et à Bruxelles''. Editions Mardaga (1995) p. 313.

Biography

Seroka was born in

Anderlecht Anderlecht (, ) is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the south-western part of the region, it is bordered by the City of Brussels, Forest, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Gilles, as well as the ...

. His father was Polish and served under General

Stanisław Maczek Lieutenant General Stanisław Maczek (; 31 March 1892 – 11 December 1994) was a Polish tank commander of World War II, whose division was instrumental in the Allied liberation of France, closing the Falaise pocket, resulting in the destructio ...

during World War II, while his mother was German. His first record was "Laissez moi pleurer" (1968). In Poland, he is most well known for his film music in

Jacek Bromski Jacek Bromski (born 19 December 1946) is a Polish film director. He has directed 15 films since 1982. He was a member of the jury at the 18th Moscow International Film Festival. Selected filmography * ''Alice'' (1982) (co-directed with Jerzy Gr ...

's films. They collaborated on ''Sztuka kochania'' (1989), ''U Pana Boga za piecem'' (1998), ''U Pana Boga w ogródku'' (2007), ''U Pana Boga za miedzą'' (2009) and on the TV serial ''U Pana Boga w ogródku'' (2007). Outside of Poland he is known for composing the music for the

Smurfs ''The Smurfs'' (french: Les Schtroumpfs; nl, De Smurfen) is a Belgian comic franchise centered on a fictional colony of small, blue, humanoid creatures who live in mushroom-shaped houses in the forest. ''The Smurfs'' was first created and int ...

cartoons. In 2004 he composed ''Credo'', a five-part classical piece for full orchestra and choir. It was performed several times, including on 1 September 2006 in a Berlin church and on 15 October 2006 in the Basilica of

Jasna Góra Jasna may refer to: Places * Jasna, a village in Poland * Jasná, a village and ski resort in Slovakia Other uses * Jasna (given name), a Slavic female given name * JASNA, the Jane Austen Society of North America See also * Yasna Yasna (;

. On 1 October 2008 it was played by 100 musicians in the

Royal Conservatory of Brussels The Royal Conservatory of Brussels (french: Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles, nl, Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel) is a historic conservatory in Brussels, Belgium. Starting its activities in 1813, it received its official name in 1832. Provid ...

. The concerts were held in memory of General Stanisław Maczek and the Polish 1st Armoured Division. Seroka himself conducted the performances. His first record was "Laissez moi pleurer" (1968), and one of his last is "Norda" (2008), music inspired by the old wooden sailing vessel

Norda ''Norda'' is a wooden sailing vessel that was commissioned in 1928, originally used as a research vessel in Poland. It served as research vessel, fishing vessel and is now a yacht. History Research vessel The vessel was commissioned in 1928 by M ...

References

External links

Official website
Belgian composers Male composers Belgian male musicians Living people 1949 births People from Anderlecht Belgian people of Polish descent Belgian people of German descent Belgian male singers {{Belgium-composer-stub