Zbigniew Preisner, born May 20, 1955, in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding film composers of his generation and Poland's leading film music composer.

Early Life and Self-Taught Musical Journey

Preisner's path to musical mastery was unconventional. Born as Zbigniew Antoni Kowalski, he initially studied philosophy and history at the University of Kraków. In his twenties, he began studying music autodidactically: buying records and learning to write by taking the music apart. His romantic style, influenced by 19th-century Polish composers, Paganini, and Sibelius, emphasizes melody over experimental modern music.

The Legendary Collaboration with Krzysztof Kieślowski

Preisner's career-defining moment came in 1981 through a serendipitous meeting. While working on Antoni Krauze's "Weather Report," he met director Krzysztof Kieślowski. As Preisner recalls: "So, we ate herrings, drank vodka, and he said to me 'It's my first film and I'd be grateful if you'd write good music.'"

This began one of cinema's most celebrated partnerships. His scores for Kieślowski's films No End, Dekalog, The Double Life of Veronique, and the Three Colors trilogy brought him international acclaim. Together, they even created Van den Budenmayer, a fictitious Dutch composer "because we both loved the Netherlands."

International Recognition and Diverse Collaborations

Beyond Kieślowski, Preisner has composed for acclaimed directors including Louis Malle ("Damage"), Agnieszka Holland ("The Secret Garden"), and Hector Babenco ("At Play In The Fields Of The Lord"). He wrote the title music for BBC's "People's Century" and provided orchestration for David Gilmour's "On An Island" album.

Recent Work with Norwegian Animation

Preisner composed the music for the Norwegian animation film "Mother Didn't Know," directed by Anita Killi. The film received the award for best short film at Kristiansand International Children and Youth Film Festival and a special prize at the International Animation Film Festival in Hiroshima.

Concert Works and Memorials

When Kieślowski died in 1996, Preisner created "Requiem for My Friend," his first large-scale concert work dedicated to the director's memory. His later work "Silence, Night and Dreams" (2007) is based on texts from the Book of Job.

Awards and Recognition

Preisner has received the Silver Bear from the Berlin Film Festival (1997), two Césars from the French Film Academy, and three consecutive citations from The Los Angeles Critics Association Awards (1991-1993). In 2018, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Haifa International Film Festival.

Legacy and Continuing Influence

Preisner's remarkable journey from self-taught philosophy student to master film composer exemplifies artistic dedication. His collaboration with Anita Killi on "Mother Didn't Know" demonstrates his continued ability to illuminate new stories through his distinctive musical language, bridging cultures and generations.