(1922–1981)

Born in Toruń, he studied composition with Kazimierz Sikorski and piano with Stanisław Szpinalski at the State High School of Music in Łódź. He continued his studies in composition with Nadia Boulanger and in piano with Lazare Lévy in Paris (1947–48). Until 1952 he was an active pianist. Afterwards he devoted himself exclusively to composition. A member of Group 49, founded together with Tadeusz Baird and Jan Krenz after the composers’ conference in Łagów, in the 1950s he contributed to what was then regarded avant-garde explorations. He wrote a twelve-tone Suite of Preludes for piano as early as 1952.

Kazimierz Serocki was a co-founder of the Warsaw Autumn Festival. His distinctions included the State Award, 1st Degree (1952, 1972), the Minister of Culture and Arts Award (1963), and an honourable mention at the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers’ in Paris.

Selected works: Symphony No. 1 (1952), Warsaw Bricklayer, cantata (1952), Suite of Preludes for piano (1952), Symphony No. 2 (1953), Sinfonietta for two string orchestras (1956), Heart of the Night, cycle of songs for soprano and piano, to words by Konstanty I. Gałczyński (1957; version for soprano and chamber orchestra, 1960), Eyes of the Air, cycle of songs to words by Julian Przyboś (1957), Musica concertante for chamber orchestra (1958), Episodes for strings and three percussion groups (1959), Segmenti for chamber ensemble (1961), A piacere for piano (1963), Symphonic Frescoes for orchestra (1964), Niobe, poem for two reciting voices, mixed choir and orchestra to words by Konstanty I. Gałczyński (1966), Continuum, sextet for percussion instruments (1965–66), Forte e piano, music for two pianos and orchestra (1967), Poems for soprano and orchestra to words by Tadeusz Różewicz (1969), Swinging Music for clarinet, trombone, cello / double bass and piano (1970), Dramatic Story for orchestra (1968–70), Phantasmagoria for piano and percussion (1970–71), Fantasia elegiaca for organ and orchestra (1971–72), Impromptu fantasque for orchestra (1973), Concerto alla cadenza per flauto a becco e orchestra (1974), Ad libitum, five pieces for orchestra (1973–77), Arrangements for 14 recorders (1976), Pianophonie for piano and orchestra (1976–78).