ABSTRACT
Happy as a result of finding himself again among the students of the Warsaw Conservatoire of Music, Andrzej Panufnik took to his studies with great enthusiasm, at the same time realising clearly that this was only a passing stage along the way toward intense study at the Faculty of Music Theory and Composition. His professor, the lead percussionist of the Warsaw Opera orchestra, recognised in the young Panufnik a good sense of rhythm and predicted success in playing this instrument. In consequence – according to the composer – the professor regretted that after Panufnik moved to composition class, the young composer-to-be completely gave up playing percussion. Nonetheless before this took place, Panufnik was rather good at learning to hold the drumsticks and showed talent at playing the various percussion instruments. Eventually became part of the school orchestra, which he recalls as being a very happy time, for finally he could participate in the production of symphonic music:
