Summary

"The writings of twentieth-century Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski reveal his approach to music and viewpoints as an artist and a man. In Lutoslawski on Music, the first full collection of writings by this famous composer, Zbigniew Skowron has amassed an exciting assortment of essays, speeches, lectures, and articles, many of which are newly translated in English and previously unpublished." "After an introductory autobiography, the writings, grouped into five chapters, illustrate various aspects of the composer's creativity and discuss musical form, compositional technique, and perception Lutoslawski examines his own works as well as those of other composers, and expresses his views on crucial elements of twentieth-century music, including the role of Schoenberg and Debussy and the impact of the Western avant-garde movement of the 1950s. The final and sixth chapter contains Lutoslawski's artistic diary, his "notebook of ideas" written from 1959 to 1984, which contains personal reflections that do not appear in his public speeches and writings. Concluding with a select bibliography, this collection will give readers a unique and comprehensive overview of the man and his music, encouraging: a full appreciation of Lutoslawski's compositional technique and aesthetic views, as well as his position in the history of twentieth-century music."--BOOK JACKET.

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Lutoslawski on Music is the first collection of writings by the Polish twentieth-century composer Witold Lutoslawski. It includes texts about his own compositions and techniques as well as writings on various aspects of twentieth-century musical culture.