Juliusz Łuciuk is a composer, born on 1st January, 1927, in Brzeźnica near Radom, died on 18th October 2020. He studied musicology at the Jagiellonian...

Juliusz Łuciuk is a composer, born on 1st January, 1927, in Brzeźnica near Radom, died on 18th October 2020. He studied musicology at the Jagiellonian University under Zdzisław Jachimecki from 1947 to 1952. At around the same time, from 1947 to 1956, he studied music theory with Aleksander Frączkiewicz (diploma in 1955) at the State Academy of Music in Kraków, composition under Stanisław Wiechowicz (diploma in 1956), and piano under Sergiusz Nadgryzowski and Jan Hoffman, as well as organ under Józef Chwedczuk. He continued his musical education in Paris, where from 1958 to 1959 he studied composition with Nadia Boulanger and Max Deutsch and participated in seminars lead by Olivier Messiaen. In addition, in 1959, he took part in the International Courses for Composers in Darmstadt.

Since his studies, he has been involved solely in composition and he has received numerous awards for his works, including first prize for Symphonic Sketch No. 4 for orchestra (1958) and second prize for Symphonic Allegro for orchestra (1957) at the Competition of Graduates in Composition; in 1960, a silver medal at the International Composers' Competition in Vercelli for Sen kwietny / Flowery Dream [version 1], 5 songs for voice and piano with lyrics by Julian Przyboś (1959); an award bestowed by Netherlands Radio at the International Competition for Composers in Holland, in 1962, for Pour un Ensemble for voice and 24 string instruments (1961); second prize at the Grzegorz Fitelberg Composition Competition for Poéme de Loire, 5 French Songs for soprano and orchestra, in 1968; an honourable mention at the same competition for Skrzydła i ręce /Wings and Hands for baritone and symphonic orchestra (1972); Prix de Composition Musicale Prince Reinier III de Monaco for Portraits Lyriques for mezzo-soprano, 2 violins, cello and piano (1974); and in 1982 – second prize in the Competition of Organ Works in Gambaronyo Lake Maggiore for Preludia Maryjne /St Mary’s Preludes for organ (1982).

In addition, Juliusz Łuciuk was presented with the Prime Minister's Award for his piano works for children (1976), the Award of the City of Kraków (1983), the Brother Albert Award for his achievements in the field of sacred music (1983), the Award of the Governor of Kraków (1992), the Award of the Ministry of Culture and Arts (1995), the Award of the President of the City of Częstochowa (1997), the Award of the Association of Polish Composers (1998), the Order of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (2001), the Special Award of the Ministry of Culture (2004), the Medal of Małopolska Region (2004).