Szymanowski, Karol [key], 1882–1937, Polish composer; studied in Berlin and Warsaw. His early works show marked German, French, and Russian influences, but in his later compositions he developed a distinctive, national style. Yet his music was not readily accepted in Poland. He was a founder of Young Poland in Music, an association of composers. His works include nine preludes for piano (1900); Love Songs of Hafiz (1911), for voice and instruments; Myths (1915), a set of three pieces for violin and piano which includes The Fountain of Arethusa; two operas, Hagith (written 1913; produced 1922) and King Roger (Warsaw, 1926); the ballet Harnasie (1935); and three symphonies; orchestral and chamber music; songs; and liturgical music.
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