Karol Hławiczka

Who was Karol Hławiczka?

Karol Hławiczka was a Polish composer, pianist, teacher and Chopinologist.

He was born in Ustroń to Andrzej Hławiczka, teacher and musicologist. His family later relocated to Cieszyn. After graduation from high school Hławiczka went to Vienna to study law. However he did not finish the studies and returned to Cieszyn to work as organist in Lutheran church and teacher of singing in seminary for teachers. During World War I he led the marching band of Polish Legions in Cieszyn. Since 1925 he often performed as a pianist, and in 1928-1931 worked as a music teacher in Mysłowice. Since 1931 Hławiczka settled in Warsaw.

After World War II he moved to Zaolzie, where he established choirs Harfa in Czeski Cieszyn and Lutnia in Trzyniec. Hławiczka was active in Literary-Artistic Section of the Polish Cultural and Educational Union. In 1958 he returned to Cieszyn, Poland, where he worked as a piano teacher until his retirement in 1964.

He was a keen collector of regional and Protestant songs. He authored several school textbooks and songbooks; and also contributed to musical and pedagogical journals in Poland and abroad. Hławiczka also researched works of Fryderyk Chopin. He was awarded Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta.