Zelenski, Wladislaw

Zelenski, Wladislaw, Polish composer and pedagogue; b. Grodkowice, near Krakow, July 6, 1837;d. Krakow, Jan. 23, 1921. He studied violin with Wojciechowski, then received training in piano from Germasz and in composition from Mirecki in Krakow (1854-59); in 1859 he entered the Jagiellonian Univ. in Prague as a philosophy student (Ph.D., 1862), and pursued training in piano with Dreyschock and in organ and counterpoint with J. Kreici. After further studies with N.H. Reber at the Paris Cons. (1866), he completed his musical training with Damcke (1868-70). He taught at the Warsaw Music Inst. (1872-81), where he also was music director of the music society. In 1881 he organized the Krakow Cons., and remained its director until his death; he also taught piano and theory there. As a pedagogue, he enjoyed a very high reputation; among his pupils were Stojowski, Opieñski, and Szopski.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Konrad Wallenrod (Lemberg, Feb. 26,1885); Goplana (Krakow, July 23,1896); Janek (Lemberg, Oct. 4, 1900); Stara basn (Lemberg, March 14, 1907). ORCH.: 2 syms. (1871, 1913); 3 overtures (1857; W Tatrach[In the Tatras], 1871-72; Echa lesne[Echoes of the Woods], n.d.); Piano Concerto (n.d.). CHAMBER: 4 string quartets; String Sextet; Piano Trio; 2 violin sonatas; Piano Quartet; numerous piano pieces, including 3 sonatas. VOCAL: Sacred and secular choral works; about 100 solo songs.

Bibliography

F. Szopski, W. Z.(Warsaw, 1928); Z. Jachimecki, W. Z.: Zycie i twórczosc, 1837-1921 (Krakow, 1952).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire