Wojciech Kilar
Polish composer of film scores

Born
July 17th, 1932
93 years ago
Died
December 29th, 2013
11 years ago — 81 years old
Category
Artists & Creatives
Country
Poland
Links & References
A prominent pianist and composer, significant contributions included creating scores for films and classical music works. Kilar gained international recognition through collaborations with directors such as Roman Polanski and Francis Ford Coppola. The score for 'The Pianist' won widespread acclaim and strengthened his reputation in film music. Additionally, Kilar's concert works, including symphonies and chamber music, showcased his versatility and deep understanding of musical form. His legacy encompasses both his film compositions and concert music, reflecting a career dedicated to artistic pursuits.
Composed the score for 'The Pianist'
Created music for 'Dracula' (1992)
Worked on scores for 'The Pianist' and 'The Ninth Gate'
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