| | 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 |