prof. Zygmunt Herembeszta (1984-1987)
Born in 1934 in Przemyśl, he died in 2002 in Wrocław. In his hometown he received his general education (1952) and began studying piano with Julia Peters. He studied at the State Higher School of Music in Wrocław at the Pedagogical Department, where he received his diploma in 1957.
He then studied composition at the State Higher School of Music in Kraków in the class of Prof. St. Wiechowicz, but completed this course at the State Higher School of Music in Wrocław in the class of Prof. St. B. Poradowski (diploma in 1967). Poradowski (diploma in 1967). He began his teaching career at the State Music Centre in Przeworsk (1957-1958) and at the State Music School in Przemyśl (1958-1962). After arriving in Wrocław, he took up a job at the State Secondary Music School and the State Secondary Music School, and in 1966 returned to his alma mater as a pedagogue. He taught subjects such as composition, harmony, counterpoint and instrumentation. During his many years of work at the Academy, he held various positions and obtained successive academic degrees - from assistant, through associate professor and dean of the Department of Composition, Conducting and Music Theory (1981-1984), to the position of rector (1984-1987). He was widely active in various areas of cultural life in Wrocław and the whole of Lower Silesia, most often in connection with the amateur artistic movement.
Zygmunt Herembeszta worked as a consultant for musical ensembles in clubs and cultural centers, as well as an organizer and juror of numerous competitions, and collaborated with amateur theatres. He served as treasurer and later as president of the Wrocław branch of the Polish Composers’ Union. For his artistic and organizational activity, he received numerous awards and distinctions, including the Gold Cross of Merit (1978), the Medal of the National Education Commission (1981), the title of Meritorious for the Province and City of Wrocław, the Meritorious Cultural Activist Award (1975), the Award of the Minister of Culture and Art, and the Wrocław City Award (1979).
His compositional output encompasses works representing various musical genres. Among his most significant compositions, performed on numerous stages both in Poland and abroad, are: To Safona for soprano and chamber ensemble (1964), Sinfonietta for string orchestra (1965), Symphony No. 1 (1967), Toccata for symphony orchestra (1968), Versions for symphony orchestra (1969), Varianti b-a-c-h for symphony orchestra (1972), Fluctuations for symphony orchestra (1974), Symphony No. 2, Folk Triptych for trumpet, horn, and trombone, String Quartet No. 2, and The Angelus for choir, soloist, and symphony orchestra.
In addition, he composed music for theatre, creative arrangements of folk music, and instrumental works of various genres commissioned by radio orchestras, philharmonics, and musical theatres.