Karol Skarżyński
(1875–1957)
Karol Skarżyński, a distinguished virtuoso cellist, was born on January 6, 1873, in Lipawa (modern-day Liepāja, Estonia), He came from a clerical family with a strong musical background. His mother was a pianist and singer, his sister Kazimiera was a soloist with the Vilnius Operetta, and his brother pursued a career as a professional flautist. Initially, Skarżyński studied violin and flute, but at the age of sixteen, inspired by Aleksander Wierzbiłtowicz’s playing, he decided to focus on the cello.
After completing his secondary education in Vilnius in 1891, he enrolled at the Warsaw Conservatory, where he studied cello under Aleksander Cink and received instruction in harmony, counterpoint, composition, and instrumentation from Gustaw Roguski and Zygmunt Noskowski.
While still a student, he was invited by violin professor Stanisław Barcewicz to participate in performances with his string quartet. Later, as a member of the Grand Theatre orchestra in Warsaw, Skarżyński collaborated with the orchestra’s principal cellist, Bolesław Moniuszko. Later, he became the main professor in the Cracow Music Conservatory and principal cello of Cracow Opera.
