Warsaw Autumn


Warsaw Autumn is the largest Polish festival of contemporary music. It was established in 1956 by composers Tadeusz Baird and Kazimierz Serocki, and is administered by the Polish Composers' Union. It is an annual event, normally taking place in the second half of September.

History

The first festival took place in October 1956.
From the beginning the festival's aim has been to present new music from Poland and around the world. Adrian Thomas notes that the music performed at Warsaw Autumn between 1958 and 1961 "clearly charts the process of informing Polish audiences and composers of what was happening in the West. At the same time, the amount of Polish repertoire increased from 25% in 1958 to 30% in 1961.
The Polish Composers' Union still plays a large role in the organisation of the festival, and the director of the festival is currently Jerzy Kornowicz.

Significant Repertoire

The Warsaw Autumn has always featured many Polish and World premieres. As an example, the following list includes some of the pieces that were premiered between 1956 and 1961.

1956

  • Witold Lutosławski, ''Concerto for Orchestra''

    1958

  • Tadeusz Baird, Four Essays
  • Henryk Górecki, Epitaph
  • Witold Lutosławski, ''Musique funèbre / Funeral Music''

    1959

  • Henryk Górecki, Symphony No. 1
1960
  • Henryk Górecki, ''Scontri''

    1961

  • Tadeusz Baird, Love Poems
  • Henryk Górecki, Three Diagrams
  • Witold Lutosławski, Jeux vénitiens / Venetian Games
  • Krzysztof Penderecki, ''Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima''