MusicatlasNews for Kilar
- Poland's highest honour for Wojciech Kilar
[posted 4 May 2012]“In recognition of his distinguished services for Polish culture and outstanding creative achievements”. This was the reason for the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski to honour Wojciech Kilar with Poland's highest honour: the White Eagle. The ceremony was held on Constitution Day, last Thursday.
Kilar hopes to celebrate his 80th birthday on 17 July,
[Source: www.thenews.pl]
- Kaczyński Memorial Award for Wojciech Kilar
[posted 10 May 2011]Wojciech Kilar, the Polish composer who is known for his film scores for Roman Polanski films and those other Hollywood directors, has received the President Lech Kaczyński Memorial Award. Polish president Lech Kaczyński died in an air crash in Russia in April 2010.
The newly-initiated award is to be given every year to an outstanding artist whose achievements consolidate the national tradition and give it a modern interpretation in the light of the nation’s current experiences.
[Source: www.thenews.pl]
- Vatican honors Wojciech Kilar
[posted 17 March 2009]The Pontifical Council for Culture has awarded Polish composer Wojciech Kilar with the Per Artem ad Deum Medal.
The award will be presented on 8 June by Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, Head of the Council, during the Sacroexpo Fair in Kielce, Southern Poland. Two of his compositions, Krzesany and Kościelec 1909, will then also be performed.
In his compositions Kilar tries to revive a national style in Polish music. He has also written soundtracks to over 150 films from many well-known Polish and foreign directors.
[Source: www.polskieradio.pl]
Music
- Lunatycy/The Moonwalkers (1959)
- Milczenie/Silence (1963)
- Piek³o i niebo/Hell and Heaven (1966)
- Ziemia obiecana/Land of Promise (1974)
- Krzesany (1974)
- Kościelec (1976)
- Orawa for string orchestra, (1988)
- "Bram Stoker’s Dracula" film score (1992)
- Tydzieñ z ¿ycia mê¿czyzny/One Week from Man’s Life (1999)
- Pianista (2002)
Life
Kilar studied at the State College of Music in Katowice, Poland under the composer/pianist Wladyslawa Markiewiczowna, graduating with top honors in 1955. He continued his graduate studies at the State College of Music in Cracow from 1955 to 1958 under composer/pianist Bolesław Woytowicz. His studies continued in Paris with Nadia Boulanger from 1959 to 1960.
