(1922–1981)

Born in Toruń, died in Warsaw. He studied at the State High School of Music in Łódź with Kazimierz Sikorski (composition) and Stanisław Szpinalski (piano). He continued his studies in Paris in 1947–48, studying composition with Nadia Boulanger and piano with Lazare Lévy. An active concert pianist till 1952, later he dedicated himself entirely to writing music. With Tadeusz Baird and Jan Krenz, he formed Group 49 (after the Polish Composers’ Union rally in Łagów). In the 1950s Serocki joined the avant-garde (already in 1952 he composed a twelve-tone Suite of Preludes for piano). Cofounder of the Warsaw Autumn festival. He was granted the State Award, 1st Class twice (1952 and 1972), Minister of Culture Award (1963), and an honourable mention at the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris.

Major 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, song cycle for soprano and piano to words by Konstanty I. Gałczyński (1957; version for soprano and chamber orchestra, 1960), Eyes of the Air, song cycle 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 1-4 recorders (1976), Pianophonie for piano, orchestra and electronic sound transformation (1976–78).