Wiszniewski, Zbigniew
Wiszniewski, Zbigniew
Wiszniewski, Zbigniew, Polish composer and teacher; b. Lwow, July 30,1922; d. Warsaw, Oct. 11,1999. He received training in theory and composition from Kazimierz Sikorski and in viola from Mieczystaw Sza-leski at the State Higher School of Music (1946-51) in Lodz. In 1954 he became a teacher in a state secondary music school in Warsaw, where he later taught at the Academy of Music from 1979 to 1988 and again from 1993 until his death. He was ed.-in-chief of the periodical Poradnik Muzyczny from 1982 to 1984. In 1959 he won the RAI Award in the International Prix Italia Competition in Sorrento, in 1969 1st prize in the Premiere Semaine Chrétienne Internationale de TV competition in Monaco, and in 1972 the Prime Minister’s Award of Poland.
Works
dramatic: Neffru, radio opera (1958-59); Ad hominem, ballet (1962; Warsaw, Oct. 7, 1964); Genesis, television oratorio for Baritone, Actor, Chorus, and Orch. (1967); Brada (The Brothers), television oratorio for Actor, Men’s Chorus, and Orch. (1970-72); Pater Noster, radio opera (1971-74). ORCH.: Triptychon (1967); Concerto for Clarinet and Strings (1968-70); Concertante for Oboe, Harpsichord, and Strings (1987); Violin Concerto (1987); Sinfonia da camera for Strings (1987); Double Concerto for Trumpet, Accordion, and Orch. (1989). CHAMBER: 2 string quartets (1952, 1990); Trio for Oboe, Harp, and Viola (1963); Tristia for 8 Instruments (1965); Kammermusik No. 1 for Oboe, Oboe d’Amore, English Horn, and Bassoon (1965-67), No. 2 for 10 Instruments (1966), No. 3 for Percussion (1966; Warsaw, Sept. 1975), and No. 4 for 10 Instruments (1972-73); Sonata for Solo Cello (1977); Duo for Bass Tuba and Percussion (1981); Quartet for 4 Violins (1982); Duo for Accordion and Guitar (1984); Bailada for Mandolin and Celtic Harp (1985; Paris, July 1986); Trio for Alto Saxophone, Accordion, and Percussion (1985); Quartet for Lute, Percussion, Bombarde, and Crumhorn (Warsaw, May 16, 1987); Trígonos for 2 Accordions and Organ (Legnica, Oct. 1987); Trio for Viola d’Amore, Accordion, and Organ (1987; Legnica, Sept. 30, 1988); Trio for Flute, Harpsichord, and Cello (1988); Duo for 2 Cellos (1988; Warsaw, May 19, 1989); Sonata for Solo Oboe (1989); Duo for Accordion and Trombone (1990); Sonata for Viola d’Amore (1992). KEYBOARD: Harpsichord: Für Cembalo (Krakow, April 23, 1985). Organ:Fwr Orgel (Legnica, Oct. 3, 1986). VOCAL: Tre pezzi della tradizione for Chorus and Orch. (Venice, Sept. 16, 1964); Sichel versäumter Stunden, cantata for Chorus and Orch. (1971); Ballade de Villon de la Grosse Margot for Baritone, Chorus, and 5 Instruments (1988); Kanon for Chorus and Instruments (1992).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire