composers (P)

composer, b. 30th August 1936 in Starogard Gdański; died 22nd December 2019. After studies at the Mechanical-Technological Departments of Gdańsk and Warsaw Polytechnics (1953-58), he studied musicology at Warsaw University (graduated in 1964).
He is a self-taught composer. In 1954-62 he worked in student theatres in Gdańsk (Bim-Bom) and Warsaw (STS), and in this period he began to compose for the theatre. In 1964-66 he was music director of the Komedia Theatre in Warsaw. In 1969-75 he lectured in the State Higher School of Theatre Studies in Warsaw, Dept. of Drama Directing. In 1984-88 and 1997-2003 he was vice-president, and in 1988-93 and again since 2003 – president of ZAiKS Authors’ Association, the copyright management company. In 1981-96 he served on the Repertoire Committee of the “Warsaw Autumn” Festival. In 1979-97 he was a member of the Management Board of the Polish Composers’ Union (treasurer in 1979-81, vice-president in 1981-83). At the onset of the Solidarity movement in Poland, he was co-founder of the Committee of the Alliance of Artistic Associations and Scientific Societies (1980), then – member of the Council of Culture which advised Lech Wałęsa, President of Poland. In 1995-98, he was director of Polish Radio Programme Two. Since 1999, he has held the function of deputy managing and artistic director of Warsaw Chamber Opera.
Edward Pałłasz has won numerous awards, including: Prix de musique folklorique of Radio Bratislava (1973) for Łado, Łado for lute or guitar and 24 voices (1973), 1st prize in the Polish Radio Competition in 1974 for A Black Cloud by the Edge of the Wood for mezzo-soprano and chamber orchestra (1974); 1st prize in the Grzegorz Fitelberg Competition for Composers in Katowice, 1976, for Symphony “1976”; 1st prize in the Guido d’Arezzo Competition for Composers in Arezzo in 1984 for De Beata Virgine Maria Claromontana per coro misto (1984); 1st prize in the Karol Szymanowski Competition for Composers in 1988 for Three Cassubian Songs for mixed choir (1988); 1st prize in a competition in Trident in 1990 for Brandelli di cielo for women’s choir (1988); 1st prize in the Jan Maklakiewicz Competition for Composers in 1991 for An Auburn-Haired Girl for orchestra (1986). In 1979, he was granted the Prime Minister’s Award for works for children, in 1986 – the President of Polish Radio and Television Award for radio compositions, in 1989 – Minister of Culture and Art Award. 1st Class.
His other distinctions include: the Commander’s and Cavalier’s Crosses of the Polonia Restituta Order, Gold Cross of Merit, Medal of the Committee of National Education, Medal of Merit to Polish Culture, Badge of Honour of the Capital City of Warsaw, Silver Medal and Badge of Honour of the ZAiKS Authors Association.

Updated December 2019 (iz)

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