Wojciech Kilar

Biography

Wojciech Kilar (1932–2013) was a renowned Polish composer and pianist, celebrated for his contributions to both classical and film music. Born in Lwów (now Lviv, Ukraine), he moved to Katowice, Poland, in 1948. Kilar studied piano under Władysława Markiewiczówna and composition with Bolesław Woytowicz at the State Higher School of Music in Katowice, graduating in 1955. He furthered his education with a scholarship to study composition under Nadia Boulanger in Paris during 1959–1960.

Career

Kilar's early works were part of the Polish avant-garde movement in the 1960s, alongside composers like Krzysztof Penderecki and Henryk Górecki. His compositions from this period include "Riff 62" (1962) and "Generique" (1963), which were known for their modern and experimental styles MOVIE MUSIC UK.

In 1959, Kilar began composing for film, contributing to over 100 Polish productions. He collaborated with esteemed directors such as Krzysztof Kieślowski, Krzysztof Zanussi, Kazimierz Kutz, and Andrzej Wajda. His international breakthrough came with the score for Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), which earned him an ASCAP Award and a Saturn Award nomination.

Kilar continued to compose for international films, including Roman Polanski's The Pianist (2002), for which he won the César Award for Best Film Music and received a BAFTA nomination. His other notable film scores include The Ninth Gate (1999) and The Portrait of a Lady (1996).

Later Works and Legacy

In the 2000s, Kilar returned to composing purely orchestral works. His compositions from this period include the September Symphony (2003), Symphony of Motion (2005), and Advent Symphony (2007) MOVIE MUSIC UK.

Kilar received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the French Lili Boulanger Prize (1960), the Alfred Jurzykowski Foundation Prize (1984), and the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2008). In 2012, he was awarded Poland's highest distinction, the Order of the White Eagle.

Wojciech Kilar passed away on December 29, 2013, in Katowice, Poland. His legacy endures through his extensive body of work, which continues to influence composers and filmmakers worldwide.