Anne-Sophie Mutter marks Lutosławski centenary

27 January 2013, 19:28 | Updated: 28 January 2013, 12:02

The violinist and the Warsaw Philharmonic celebrated the composer's 100th birthday with an anniversary concert on Friday 25 January, marking the official launch of the Witold Lutosławski Year in Poland.

Music by Polish composer Witold Lutosławski is to be celebrated throughout the world in 2013, the 100th anniversary of his birth. German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, a performer known for her dynamic interpretations of Lutosławski's music, was invited to Warsaw to launch the year of festivities at a concert on Friday evening.

Warsaw Philharmonic, conducted by Antoni Wit, performed Lutosławski's Symphony No. 2, and a new work, Sostenuto, by Polish composer Paweł Szymanski. Mutter, who premiered Chain II in 1985, performed the work once more to mark the official start of the Witold Lutosławski Year.

She praised the composer's music for its 'great spirit' and a 'sharp intellect'. Speaking after the concert, she said: "Witold Lutosławski is a great gift from God. It was 1985 when I first encountered his music, and it was a turning point in my life - he opened the window into the future, and it was truly a stroke of luck. For me, it's Witold Lutosławski who created the most perfect music."

Throughout 2013, 40 cities in 18 countries will host more than 100 events including performances, film projects, conferences, and album releases. A new Lutosławski smartphone app is also available, enabling users to take a tour around Warsaw and explore areas of particular significance for the composer.