(3.01.1937) Famous composer of theatrical and film music. Between 1956-1962 Konieczny studied composition at the Cracow Academy of Music. He made his debut at the literary cabaret Piwnica pod Baranami (Cellar under the Rams) led by Piotr Skrzynecki. The place continued the tradition of Parisian cabarets but over the years became one of the most famous artistic cabarets in Poland and a true phenomenon in European culture. Konieczny composed fantastic songs for the biggest stars of Piwnica pod Baranami: Ewa Demarczyk, Krystyna Zachwatowicz, Anna Szałapak. He was awarded many important awards, among others the first prize at the Opole Festival for „Karuzela z Madonnami“ performed by Ewa Demarczyk.
„Carousel with Madonnas“ was written to a well known poem by a famous postwar Polish poet and writer Miron Białoszewski. „Carousel with Madonnas“ is a ballad in which the poet is inspired by the folk culture from the surroundings of Warsaw. It describes an old dingy carousel at a small town fair. The poet sees the horses and varsovians riding on it, he compares the women to madonnas with children and soon the scene reminds him of pictures by Rafael and Leonardo da Vinci. Konieczny’s music marvelously corresponds to the verses of the poem which symbolize the rhythm of the carousel.
Zygmunt Konieczny started working with Agnieszka Osiecka in 1985. Together they created many songs among others for the musical „Magician of Lublin“ based on the novel by Isaac Bashevis Singer. The musical became a huge success. Karuzela Group performs „Ucisz serce“, a song (a modern psalm) which stems from this musical. Zygmunt Konieczny is called by the critics „a happy composer of sad songs“. In an interview for „Gazeta Krakowska“ he said: „Sometimes I catch myself singing and conducting while I write“. At his work he is often inspired by Polish, European and Tibetan folklore.
More information on this legendary Polish artist can be found on www.zygmuntkonieczny.art.pl
