| Preface to the Third Edition | p. vii |
| Preface to the First Edition | p. xi |
| Guide to Polish Pronunciation | p. xv |
| List of Illustrations | p. xvii |
| List of Tables | p. xviii |
| Formative Years (1913-1945): Sonata for Piano, Symphonic Variations | p. 1 |
| Functional Music and Formalism (1945-1956): Symphony no. I, Concerto for Orchestra, Dance Preludes | p. 19 |
| Sound Language and Harmony (1956-1960): Five (Illakowicz) Songs, Musique funebre, Postuldes | p. 49 |
| Chance and Polyphony (1960-1968): Jeux venitiens, Trois poemes d'Henri Michaux, String Quartet, Paroles tissees, Symphony no. 2, Livre pour orchestre | p. 75 |
| Mastery of a Mature Language (1969-1979): Cello Concerto, Preludes and Fugue, Les espaces du sommeil, Mi-Parti, Novelette | p. 117 |
| Emergence of the Late Style (1979-1983): Epitaph, Double Concerto, Grave, Symphony no. 3, Chain I | p. 146 |
| Concertos and Chains (1984-1986): Partita, Interlude, Chain 2, Chain 3 | p. 185 |
| Catching up with Arrears (1987-1994): Piano Concerto, Chantefleurs et Chantefables, Symphony no. 4, Subito | p. 216 |
| Epilogue | p. 253 |
| Notes | p. 263 |
| List of Works and Select Discography | p. 275 |
| Bibliography | p. 296 |
| Lutoslawski's Family | p. 304 |
| 'Derwid' | p. 306 |
| Index | p. 312 |