Karol Szymanowski

Karol Maciej Szymanowski (; 6 October 188229 March 1937) was a Polish composer and pianist. He was a member of the modernist Young Poland movement that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Szymanowski's early works show the influence of the late Romantic German school as well as the early works of Alexander Scriabin, as exemplified by his Étude Op. 4 No. 3 and his first two symphonies. Later, he developed an impressionistic and partially atonal style, represented by such works as the Third Symphony and his Violin Concerto No. 1. His third period was influenced by the folk music of the Polish Górale people, including the ballet ''Harnasie'', the Fourth Symphony, and his sets of Mazurkas for piano. ''King Roger,'' composed between 1918 and 1924, remains Szymanowski's most popular opera. His other significant works include ''Hagith'', Symphony No. 2, ''The Love Songs of Hafiz'', and ''Stabat Mater''.

Szymanowski was awarded the highest national honors, including the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and other distinctions, both Polish and foreign. Provided by Wikipedia