Photo: Unknown / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Władysław Szpilman was born in Sosnowiec, Poland on December 5, 1911. Władysław Szpilman was a pianist, composer and writer. Death is recorded on July 6, 2000, at the age of 88. Education on record includes Chopin University of Music. Listed accolades include Commander with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta, Gold Cross of Merit, Knight of the Order of Polonia Restituta and 1 more.
My Take
What moves me about Szpilman is not the famous film but the man who refused to let history silence his music. Surviving the Warsaw ghetto and the destruction of his city, he returned to the piano and kept composing and playing for decades after. Polanski's The Pianist made him an icon, yet I find the real testament in the fact that he chose music over bitterness. To me his survival is itself a kind of masterpiece, and the dignity he carried into his eighty-eight years feels far larger than any single performance ever could.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Władysław Szpilman
- Name (Japanese)
- ウワディスワフ・シュピルマン
- Reading
- うわでぃすわふ・しゅぴるまん
- Born
- December 5, 1911 – July 6, 2000
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Boar
- Origin
- Sosnowiec, Poland
- Occupation
- pianist / composer / writer / songwriter / musician
2. Background
- University
- Chopin University of Music
Awards & achievements
- Commander with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Gold Cross of Merit
- Knight of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Zasłużony Działacz Kultury
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Śmierć Miasta | — | |
| Notable work | The Pianist | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttp://www.szpilman.net
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C5%82adys%C5%82aw%20Szpilman
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AF%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%AF%E3%83%95%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5%E3%83%94%E3%83%AB%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q157176
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Władysław Szpilman born?
Born December 5, 1911.
When did Władysław Szpilman die?
Died July 6, 2000, aged 88.
Where was Władysław Szpilman from?
Władysław Szpilman was from Sosnowiec, Poland.
What did Władysław Szpilman do?
Władysław Szpilman worked as pianist, composer, writer, songwriter, musician.
What was Władysław Szpilman known for?
Notable works include Śmierć Miasta, The Pianist.
Pianist — see all → · Composer — see all → · More people from Poland →