Witold Lutosławski (1913-1994)

Introduction
Lutosławski was a Polish composer and orchestral conductor. He is arguably one of the greatest European composers of the 20th century. He studied piano and composition in Warsaw. He died of cancer in 1994.

Work Analysis
I chose to analyze Lutosławski’s Third Symphony. The swift, meticulous, changes in dynamics really give this piece an emotion that not many pieces can evoke. The opening line grabs the attention of the listener and puts them in Lutosławski’s mind. It is an extremely well crafted symphony where every instrument and line seems to have something important to say throughout. He utilizes rests to create a suspense in the piece. He is also known for utilizing groups of intervals and basing his pieces around them.

Comparisons
This is Stravinsky-esque. I see plenty of comparisons of Eastern-European elements in here with the atonality and non-classical way of looking at the musical world. Lutosławski was known for using folk influences in his music and his Third Symphony represents and embodies his Polish culture while mixing it with a western style of writing.

Observations
This is probably one of my favorite pieces that I have looked at all semester. Lutosławski does what no other composer has done for me in this piece. There is so much going on in this piece while there is something being played, as well as so much going on when nothing is being played.