‘Music in the heart, a heart for music’. The Influence of Stanisław Węsławski (1896–1942) on the Development of Musical Life in Vilnius

Przemysław Dąbrowski

Abstract

Stanisław Węsławski was born in Vilnius on 17 September 1896. His parents were Witold jan Narcyz Węsławski and emilia Franciszka Węsławska (née Saryusz-Bielska). As a young man, Stanisław Węsławski was among the pioneers of scouting – and then its Polish variety, harcerstwo – in the Vilnius region. During the First World War, he completed studies in law and music at University in Moscow. On his return to Vilnius, he managed a law office and devoted his spare time to composing works for piano and songs, under the guidance of Tadeusz Szeligowski. He was also a member of the Vilnius branch of the Society for the Friends of Learning and the education department of the Polish Schools Matrix of the Eastern Territories, as well as vice-chairman of the Vilnius Union of Singing and Music Societies. He wrote music for Polish radio in Vilnius and became the station’s music officer, and he also chaired the board of the Vilnius branch of the Polish Society for contemporary Music. In the 1930s, Węsławski was chairman of the central Board of the Polish Schools Matrix of the Vilnius region. He was also an active member of the Vilnius council of Artistic Societies (‘erwuza’), initially as treasurer in the Presidium and then as a member of the review committee.

He participated in the activities of the Smorgonia discussion club, regularly attended the Literary Wednesdays and was vice-chairman of the Vilnius Philharmonic Society. His articles were published in the Dziennik Wileński [Vilnius daily], Alma Mater Vilnensis, Gazeta Warszawska [Warsaw gazette], Przegląd Muzyczny [Music review], Muzyka Współczesna [contemporary music] and Muzyka [Music]. during the Second World War, he became the first underground mayor of Vilnius. He was married to Jadwiga Zofia (née Hryszkiewicz). They had two sons: Jerzy and Michał. Stanisław Węsławski was murdered by firing squad in Ponary near Vilnius on 2 december 1942.