Władysław Marcjan Mikołaj Żeleński (6 July 1837 – 23 January 1921) was a Polish
composer
A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music.
Etymology and Defi ...
,
pianist
A pianist ( , ) is an individual musician who plays the piano. Since most forms of Western music can make use of the piano, pianists have a wide repertoire and a wide variety of styles to choose from, among them traditional classical music, ja ...
and
organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ (music), organ. An organist may play organ repertoire, solo organ works, play with an musical ensemble, ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumentalist, instrumental ...
.
Life
Żeleński was born in
Grodkowice
Grodkowice is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Kłaj, within Wieliczka County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately east of Wieliczka and east of the regional capital Kraków
Kraków (), o ...
. He was a representative of
neoromanticism in
Polish music
The Music of Poland covers diverse aspects of music and musical traditions which have originated, and are practiced in Poland. Artists from Poland include world-famous classical composers like Frédéric Chopin, Karol Szymanowski, Witold Lutosł ...
. Since early days Żeleński showed interest in chamber music. While in secondary school, he wrote two quartets and a trio that, however, have not survived to our times. Later chamber pieces include: ''Sextet'' in C major, Op. 9 and ''Wariacje na temat własny'' (''Variations on an Original Theme'') for string quartet, Op. 29 Żeleński composed while studying first in Prague and later in Paris. He died in
Kraków
Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
.
Władysław was the father of physician and writer
Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński.
Notable works
Operas
*
''Goplana'' (1896)
* ''Janek''
* ''Konrad Wallenrod'' (1895)
* ''Stara baśń''
Symphonic compositions
* ''W Tatrach'' (In the Tatra Mountains), overture, Op. 27 (1870)
* ''Echa leśne'' (Forest Echos), overture
* ''Suita tańców polskich'' (Suite of Polish Dances), Op. 47
* ''Symfonie lesne'' (Spring Symphony), Op. 41
* ''Polonez koncertowy'' (Concert Polonaise)
* ''Trauerklänge, Elegisches Andante'', Op. 36
Concertante
* ''Concerto E-flat major'' for piano and orchestra, Op. 60
* ''Romance'' for cello and orchestra, Op. 40
Chamber music
* Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 61
* Piano Trio in E major for piano, violin, and cello, Op. 22 (1874, dedicated to pianist Augusta Auspitz-Kolar, published by Kahnt Verlag in Leipzig)
* Romance for violin and piano, Op. 16
* Sonata in F major for violin and piano, Op. 30
* String Quartet in F major, Op. 28
* String Quartet in A major, Op. 42
* ''Wariacje na temat własny'' (''Variations on an Original Theme'') for string quartet, Op. 21 (1883)
Keyboard
* ''2 Mazurkas'' for piano, Op. 31
* ''25 Preludes'' for organ, Op. 38
* ''Marsz uroczysty'' (''Ceremonial March'') for piano, Op. 44
* ''Rêverie'' for piano, Op. 48
Songs
Władysław is author of over 100 songs, most notable are:
* "Na Anioł Pański"
* "Słowiczku mój"
* "Zaczarowana królewna"
Discography
*1998 : Organ Preludes – Acte Préalable AP000
*2000 : Songs – Acte Préalable AP029
*2005 : Violin Sonata – Acte Préalable AP011
*2015 : Piano Works vol. 1 – Acte Préalable AP012
*2011 : String Quartets – Acte Préalable AP023
*2011 : Chamber Music – Acte Préalable AP023
*2011 : Piano Works vol. 2 – Acte Préalable AP023
*2012 : Complete Works for Violin – Acte Préalable AP023
*2013 : Chamber Music with Piano – Acte Préalable AP027
*2015 : Songs – Acte Préalable AP031
*2016 : Secular Choral Works – Acte Préalable AP036
*2017 : Secred Choral Works – Acte Préalable AP037
*2017 : Songs, Duets – Acte Préalable AP038
*2021 : Władysław Żeleński & Gustaw Roguski - Recently Discovered Works – Acte Préalable AP048
See also
*
List of Poles#Music, List of Poles
References
*
External links
*
*
Scores by Władysław Żeleńskiin digital library
Polona
1837 births
1921 deaths
19th-century classical composers
19th-century classical pianists
19th-century male musicians
20th-century classical composers
20th-century classical pianists
20th-century male musicians
Polish Romantic composers
Polish male classical composers
Polish opera composers
Polish classical pianists
Polish classical organists
Male classical pianists
Male classical organists
Academic staff of the Chopin University of Music
People from Wieliczka County
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