Wiłkomirski, Józef (EN)

Wiłkomirski Józef, *15 May 1926 Kalisz, †1 August 2020, Polish conductor, cellist and composer, son of Alfred. In 1936–39, he attended the conservatory of H. Kijeńska-Dobkiewiczowa in Łódź. In 1943–44, he studied cello with D. Danczowski at the Staatliche Musikschule in Warsaw, whose deputy director was K. Sikorski; At the same time, Wiłkomirski played in the orchestra of the drama theater at ul. Kredytowa. He took part in the Warsaw Uprising and then was a prisoner in the Stalag in Sandbostel. During the war and later (until 1949), he also learned to play the cello with his brother Kazimierz. In 1946, he began studies at the University of Łódź (history, archaeology), in 1946–49, he studied conducting at the State Higher School of Music in Łódź with Kazimierz Wiłkomirski, Z. Górzyński and W. Ormicki, and in 1949–50 with F. Kulczycki at the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw. In 1954–56, he completed his apprenticeship under the supervision of W. Bierdiajew at the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw. In 1946-49, he was a cellist in the philharmonic orchestra in Łódź, in 1949-50 in the orchestra of the Warsaw Opera; in 1950-51, he was conductor of the Krakow Philharmonic, in 1951-52 conductor of the Folk Song and Dance Ensemble “Mazowsze,” in 1952-54 music director Song and Dance Ensemble “Skolimów”, in 1954-57 second conductor of the Poznań Philharmonic, and in 1957-71 director and artistic director of the Szczecin Philharmonic. In 1978, he established the State Philharmonic in Wałbrzych (currently the Sudecka Philharmonic). He was its general and artistic director until 2005 when he retired. In 1978–91, Wiłkomirski headed the Music School Complex in Wałbrzych. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross (1963), the Officer’s Cross (1979), the Commander’s Cross with the Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1998), the Order of the Banner of Labor, 1^st class (1986), the Warsaw Insurgent Cross (1985), and the Home Army Cross (1995).

During his many years of conducting activity (55 years at the pulpit, 40 as director of the philharmonic hall), Wiłkomirski performed in all national philharmonic halls, at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw and the Wrocław Opera, as well as in 22 countries in Europe, America and Asia, giving over 1,600 concerts. He performed many first performances of works by Polish composers, including W. Kilar (Symphony No. 1, Poznań 1957), B. Woytowicz, R. Twardowski and B. Konowalski. From 1967, Wiłkomirski developed his compositional activity. He also acted as a journalist (over 300 articles) and speaker (over 200 speeches); and cooperated with Polish Television and regional PR stations in Szczecin, Wałbrzych and Wrocław.