Włodzimierz Kotoński facts for kids

Włodzimierz Kotoński

Włodzimierz Kotoński (born August 23, 1925 – died September 4, 2014) was a famous Polish composer. He was known for his modern music, especially his work with electronic sounds.

About His Life

Włodzimierz Kotoński was born in Warsaw, Poland. He studied music there at the PWSM, which is a music academy, and finished his studies in 1951.

Early Music and New Ideas

At first, Kotoński was very interested in folk music from the Podhale region in southern Poland. This music often includes traditional songs and dances.

Later, he went to special music courses called the Darmstädter Ferienkurse between 1957 and 1961. There, he learned about new ways to compose music. He started using a style called "punctual serialism." This means he carefully planned each single note or sound in his music. Some of his works from this time include Sześć miniatur (which means 'Six Miniatures') for clarinet and piano from 1957, and Muzyka kameralna ('Chamber Music') for 21 instruments and percussion from the next year.

Pioneer in Electronic Music

In 1959, Kotoński created a very important piece called Etiuda na jedno uderzenie w talerz ('Study on One Cymbal Stroke'). This was the first piece of electronic music ever made in Poland! He created it at the Polish Radio's Experimental Studio. He also worked in other electronic music studios in different countries, like Cologne, Paris, Freiburg, and Berlin.

Teaching and Leadership

In 1967, Kotoński became a teacher of composition at the Frédéric Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw. He also led the electronic music studio there. He even wrote the first book in Polish about electronic music, helping many others learn about this new field.

From 1974 to 1976, he was a main music editor for Polish Radio and a top music director for Polish Radio and Television. He also held important roles in the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM), serving as vice president and then president of the Polish section. Kotoński also gave guest lectures about composition and electronic music at universities around the world, including places like Stockholm, Buffalo, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem.

Many students learned from him, including famous composers like Hanna Kulenty and Pawel Mykietyn.

Włodzimierz Kotoński passed away in Warsaw on September 4, 2014, when he was 89 years old.

His Compositions

Włodzimierz Kotoński wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of his most well-known pieces:

• Poemat, for orchestra (1949)
• Tańce góralskie [Highlander Dances], for orchestra (1950)
• Quartettino, for 4 horns (1950)
• Preludium i passacaglia, for orchestra (1953)
• 6 miniatur, for clarinet and piano (1957)
• Muzyka kameralna, for 21 instruments and percussion (1958)
• Etiuda na jedno uderzenie w talerz [Study on 1 Cymbal Stroke], for tape (1959)
• Musique en relief, cycle of 5 miniatures for 6 orchestral groups (1959)
• Concerto per quattro, for piano, harpsichord, guitar, harp, and orchestra (1960, rev. 1965)
• Trio, for flute, guitar, and percussion (1960)
• Canto, for ensemble (1961)
• Selection I, for clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and guitar (1962)
• Mikrostruktury, for tape (1963)
• Musica per fiati e timpani (1963)
• Monochromia, for oboe (1964)
• Pezzo, for flute and piano (1964)
• Wind Quintet, for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn (1964)
• A battere, for percussion, guitar, viola, violoncello, and harpsichord (1966)
• Klangspiele, for tape and sound-distribution (1967)
• Pour quatre, for clarinet, trombone, violoncello, and piano (1968)
• Muzyka na 16 talerzy i smyczki [Music for 16 Cymbals and Strings] (1969)
• Aela, for tape (1970)
• Multiplay, for 2 trumpets, horn, 2 trombones, and tuba (1971)
• Concerto for Oboe (+ oboe d’amore), Live Electronics, and Orchestra (1972)
• Harfa Eola [Aeolian Harp], for soprano, alto recorder, autoharp, guitar, and electric organ, all with amplification (1973)
• Musical Games, for 5 performers (1973)
• Promenada I, instrumental theatre for 4 performers (1973)
• Promenada II , instrumental theatre for 3 synthesizers, clarinet, trombone, and violoncello (1973)
• Skrzydła [Wings], for tape (1973)
• Róża wiatrów [Wind Rose], for orchestra (1976)
• Muzyka wiosenna [Spring Music], for flute, oboe, violin, and synthesizer or tape (1978)
• Bora, for orchestra (1979)
• Pełnia lata [Midsummer], for clarinet, violoncello, piano, and live electronics (1979)
• Sirocco, for orchestra (1980)
• Pieśń jesienna [Autumn Song], for harpsichord and tape (1981)
• Terra incognita, for orchestra (1984)
• Sceny liryczne, for 9 performers (1986)
• Tableaux vivants dans un jardin à l’anglaise, for synthesizer and tape (1986)
• Tlalocl, for harpsichord and percussion (1986)
• Ptaki [Birds], for clarinet, violoncello, and piano (1988)
• Cadenze e arie, for guitar (1988)
• Antiphonae, for tape (1989)
• Bucolica (Morton Feldman in memoriam), for solo flute (alto flute in G and flute in C) (1989)
• Trzy etidy rytmiczne [Three Rhythmic Studies], for piano (1990)
• La gioia, for 9 stringed instruments or string orchestra (1991)
• Tierra caliente, for tape (1992)
• Motu proprio, 4 pieces for bassoon and piano (1992)
• Seven Haiku (Bashõ), for female voice, recorder, oboe, clarinet, and harp (1993)
• Concerto for Electric Guitar and 11 Instruments (1994)
• Symphony No. 1 (1995)
• Podróż zimowa [Winter Journey], for flute, oboe, clarinet, violin, violoncello, harpsichord, and tape (1995)
• Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1996)
• Mijikayo, for Japanese instrumental ensemble (1996)
• Speculum vitae, for orchestra and tape (1996)
• Trzy pieśni niemieckie do tekstów Josepha von Eichendorffa i Dursa Grünbeina [Three German Songs on texts by Joseph von Eichendorff and Durs Grünbein], for baritone and guitar (1997)
• Trzy pieśni do słów Dursa Grünbeina [Three Songs on Words by Durs Grünbein], for baritone and guitar (1997)
• Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), for amplified harpsichord and tape (1998)
• Sextet, for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, and piano (1998)
• Zmienne struktury [Variable Structures], for clarinet, trombone, and piano (2000)
• Symphony No. 2 (2001)
• String Quartet No. 1 (2002)
• Wilanowskie pejzaże [Wilanów Landscape], for flute and string quartet (2002)
• Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (2002–2003)
• Madrygały polskie [Polish Madrigals], for soprano and instrumental ensemble, on verses by old Polish poets (2004)

See also

In Spanish: Włodzimierz Kotoński para niños