Kurpinski, Karol (Kazimierz)
Kurpiński, Karol (Kazimierz)
Kurpiński, Karol (Kazimierz) , prominent Polish conductor and composer; b. Wloszakowice, March 6, 1785; d. Warsaw, Sept. 18, 1857. He studied with his father, Marcian Kurpinski, an organist, and in 1797 became organist in Sarnów. He then was a violinist in the private orch. of Feliks Polanowski at his Moszków estate (1800–08), and subsequently music master to the Rastawiecki family in Lemberg (1808–10). He settled in Warsaw, where he became a theater violinist. He then was made deputy conductor of the Opera, and also Kapellmeister of the Polish royal court (1819); was principal conductor of the Opera (1824–40). He also taught music at the schools of drama (1812, 1817) and voice (1835–40), which he founded. He was founder-ed. of the first Polish music journal, Tygodnik Muzyczny (Music Weekly; 1820-21). As one of the leading Polish composers of his day, he helped to establish the national Polish school. He wrote 24 stage works, including the operas Jadwiga królowa Polska (Jadwiga, Queen of Poland; Warsaw, Dec. 23, 1814) and Zamek na Czorsztynce, czyli Bojomic i Wanda (The Castle of Czorsztyn, or Bojomic and Wanda; Warsaw, March 5, 1819). His other works include sacred pieces, polonaises for orch., chamber music, and piano pieces.
Bibliography
T. Przybylski, K. K., 1785-1857 (Warsaw, 1975).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire