Witold Maliszewski in the music life of Ukraine and Poland

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Witold Maliszewski was an eminent European musician of the first half of the twentieth century, whose lifelong creative and pedagogical endeavor left a deep imprint upon the musical life in both Ukraine and Poland. It is still of great importance in our time, especially if one recalls that the Odessa conservatory founded by Maliszewski gave the world such talents as Emil Gilels and David Oistrakh and that Maliszewski’s students in Warsaw were Witold Lutosławski and Andrzej Panufnik. Nevertheless, despite a large body of research dedicated to Maliszewski and numerous citations in the monographs a comprehensive artist’s biography that meets the modern requirements has not yet been written. Additionally, the outdated publications produced by the stagnant traditions of the Soviet era musicology continue to exhibit some influence. Most recently the study of the composer’s life and creative heritage is mainly originated by the Polish researchers, while the Ukrainian musicologists are somewhat behind. The notable exceptions are the works by the Odessa musicologists who investigate the pertinent aspects of Maliszewski’s life as the founder and first rector of the Odessa Conservatory.This work was written and based on a critical review and assessment of numerous publications by the Ukrainian and foreign researchers, as well as the documents from the Vilinsky family archive. The study peruses materials from Ukrainian and Polish sources and documents found during the research in the archives, and libraries in Ukraine and abroad, particularly in the United States. The authors had applied historical, chronological and comparative methods while also introducing a systematic approach. From the standpoint and in the context of the modern musicology, the sheer scale of influence and current importance of Maliszewski’s legacy is emphasized.The aim of the study is an attempt to actualize this highly spirited and vibrant personality for Ukrainian culture and to convey a coherent depiction of Witold Maliszewski’s life, pedagogical and creative legacy, as well as to analyze and dismount the ideological overlays of the previous époque and to dismiss their derivative stereotypes.Findings. Despite all bans and attempts to neglect the creative and pedagogical legacy of Witold Maliszewski, carried out by the Soviet authorities, his name and the memory of his out-standing contribution to musical culture have always been well preserved and will be kept in great esteem by grateful descendants. Nowadays, amongst the professionals and music lovers, there is a particularly noticeable renaissance of interest related to Witold Maliszewski’s personality as a composer and teacher, whose inspirational life unites Ukraine and Poland. The Witold Lutosławski Centennial celebration under the auspices of UNESCO in 2013 has also largely contributed to such interest. The comprehensive discography of the composer’s works published in recent years has become a projection of Maliszewski’s creative output into the 21st century. The posture of Witold Maliszewski as an outstanding Polish artist and public figure, his creative output and pedagogical heritage in the realm of the musical life of Ukraine and Poland still awaits a complete and fair assessment, and recognition.