Ukochałem skrzypce

Abstract

In the second chapter of his memoirs, presented in this volume, Antoni Cofalik describes his student years spent in Cracow. During this time, he received a four-month tuition in violin playing from Eugenia Umińska. In contrast to his regular tutor (and her rival teacher), Zenon Feliński, Umińska not only appreciated 20th-century music, but also had been performing Szymanowski’s pieces for violin (including performances together with the composer himself) and prepared the majority of his violin works for print. Apart from that, the author gives a portrayal of contemporary Cracow, his teachers and fellow students, as well as of his musical experiences and obligatory military training.