Aleksander Zarzycki

Full biography Aleksander Zarzycki

Aleksander Zarzycki was a Polish composer, pianist, teacher, and conductor born on February 26, 1834, in Lwów (which is now known as Lviv in Ukraine) and died on November 1, 1895, in Warsaw, Poland. He is considered to be one of the prominent composers and pianists of the 19th century and was known for his compositions that prominently featured the Mazurka, a traditional Polish folk dance.

Zarzycki received his education from the music conservatories in Vienna and Paris, and then began his career as a composer and pianist in Poland. He was appointed a professor of piano and composition at the Warsaw Conservatory in 1865, and in 1874 he became the conductor of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.

Zarzycki wrote numerous compositions during his career, including piano pieces, chamber music, and orchestral works. He was highly regarded for his Mazurkas, and his Mazurka No.1, Op. 26, composed for violinist Pablo de Sarasate, is considered one of his most famous works.

Despite his accomplishments, Zarzycki's music fell into obscurity after his death and is now largely forgotten. However, in recent years, there has been renewed interest in his music, and some of his works have been rediscovered and are being performed again.

In summary, Aleksander Zarzycki was a prominent composer and pianist of the 19th century known for his Mazurkas and contributions to Polish music. Although his music fell into obscurity after his death, his works are now being rediscovered and appreciated once again.