(1882 - 1937)
Karol Szymanowski was born on 6 October, 1882 on his family's estate in Tymoszówka in the Ukraine. He was raised in a strong musicial, conservative family. In 1901 he went to Warsaw for more regular studies in music. From that year until 1904 he had private lessons with Zawirski for harmony and with Zygmunt Noskowski for counterpoint and composition. His creative output may be divided into four periods: early career, the World War I period, the 1920s, and 1930s. During the years 1907-1914 Szymanowski travelled extensively in Germany, Italy, France and England. Unfortunately, in the fall of 1917 the Szymanowski's house was destroyed and the family moved to Elisavetgrad. For nearly two years Szymanowski exchanged music for literature. He wrote a long novel, Efebos, which was lost in the Warsaw fires of 1939. Towards the end of 1919 he settled in Warsaw. Together with his friends, violinist Pawel Kochański and pianist Artur Rubinstein, Szymanowski twice travelled to the USA by way of London in 1920-1921, giving concerts that met with critical and popular success. During the years 1924-1926 Szymanowski received increasing recognition at home, despite the opposition of conservative sections of musical society. He spent a lot of time in Paris, chiefly for the many performances of his compositions.
Karol Szymanowski Composition Timpani and Percussion Requirements
King Roger (Opera)
Timpani + 6/7 percussion
Glockenspiel, xylophone, snare drum, orchestral bass drum, clash cymbals, triangle, tambourine, tam tam
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Stabat Mater
Timpani + 4 percussion
Suspended cymbal, orchestral bass drum, triangle, glockenspiel, tam tam
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Symphony No 3
Timpani + 5 percussion
Clash cymbals, glockenspiel, orchestral bass drum, triangle, tam tam, tambourine, snare drum
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Symphony No 4
Timpani + 4 percussion
Tam tam, clash cymbals, orchestral bass drum, triangle, snare drum
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