Iwonka Bogumila Szymanska facts for kids

Iwonka Bogumila Szymanska (born July 11, 1943) is a talented Polish composer and pianist. She is known for creating a special new musical style she named a "sonnet."

About Iwonka Szymanska

Iwonka Szymanska was born in Warsaw, the capital city of Poland. She started playing the piano for audiences in 1951 when she was just eight years old. Later, in 1965, she began writing her own music. She also performed her music on the radio, sharing it with many listeners.

Her Musical Education

Iwonka Szymanska studied music at two important schools in Poland. She learned to play the piano at the State Music College in Gdansk. Then, she studied how to compose music at the State Music College in Warsaw. She finished her studies and graduated in 1972. Some of her teachers were K. Jastrzebska and Witold Rudzinski.

Award-Winning Music

Iwonka Szymanska's musical pieces have won awards! Her compositions called Two Essays (written in 1971) and Trylogia (written in 1973) both received special prizes. This shows how much people appreciated her creative work.

Her Compositions

Iwonka Szymanska has written many different kinds of music. Here are some of her most notable works, grouped by the types of instruments or groups that play them.

Chamber Music

Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments, often played in a smaller room or "chamber." It's like a conversation between a few musical friends.

• Dwoj Eseje (for harp)
• Dyptyk (for brass band)
• First String Quartet
• Fourth String Quartet
• Freski Kameraine (for horn, clarinet, and harp)
• Second String Quartet (with flute)
• Third String Quartet
• Tryptyk (for brass band)

Orchestra Music

Orchestra music is written for a large group of musicians playing many different instruments together. It often sounds grand and powerful.

• First Sonnet
• Mahoniowy Koncert (for violin and orchestra)
• Mobil
• Play of Colors
• Second Play of Colors
• Third Sonnet (for two pianos and orchestra)
• Trylogia
• Wiosenny Koncert (for piano and orchestra)

Piano Music

These pieces are written specifically for the piano, an instrument Iwonka Szymanska plays herself.

• Arabeski (for two pianos)
• Esej (for piano and percussion)
• Trzy Sonety

Voice Music

This music includes parts for singers, often with instruments playing along.

• Second Sonnet (for two sopranos, a choir, and an orchestra)