Wojciech Kilar (born 1932) - composer. With Henryk Mikołaj Górecki and Krzysztof Penderecki he created a new trend in contemporary music known as Sonorism. His work often alludes to traditional sources, inspired by folk and religious music. Examples are works like 'Struck' and 'Skeleton 1909'. He has also orchestral works to his name: ('Generique', 'Choral prelude', 'Orawa'), 'Piano concerto', and vocal and instrumental works ('Grey mist', 'Exodus', 'Angelus'), ballet: 'The Mask'. Also known to a wider audience for his film music: 'The Doll' (1968) by Wojciech Has, 'Land of Promise' (1975) and 'Pan Tadeusz' (1999) by Andrzej Wajda. He is also the composer of music to Jane Campion's 'Potrait of a Lady' (1996). He worked with Roman Polański on 'Death and the Girl' (1994), 'The Ninth Gate' (1999), 'The Pianist' (2001). He was awarded an Oscar for his music to Francis Ford Coppola's 'Dracula' (1992). Wojciech Kilar was honoured with a great number of awards and titles, e.g. the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2002) and Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2008). In 2009 at Kielce Sacroexpo Fair H.E. Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi honoured Wojciech Kilar with the medal Per artem ad Deum (To God through art) awarded by the Pontifical Council for Culture.
