THE LIFE OF A MUSICIAN BASED ON POLISH FAIRY-TALES WITH MUSICAL MOTIFS (Biografia basniowego muzyka wedlug polskich bajek o watkach muzycznych)

The author reconstructed three phases in the life of a folk musician in Polish musical fairy-tales, namely his youth, maturity with a magic initiation, and old age which is filled with wandering and sharing knowledge and mastery with other people. In his youth, playing a pipe or a fiddle was a vocation. The musician is sensitive to sounds of nature, and his play evokes both admiration and disregard among peasants or highlanders. He plays for himself, for animals, birds, but also during weddings or in inns. Additional professions such as shepherd, soldier, sorcerer or master provide the musician contacts with the animal, human and supernatural worlds. A devil is frequently the musicians's helper: he gives the player an extraordinary instrument and provides him with a power which compels all present to dance. In return, the musician must promise the devil his own soul. The power of music enchants a girl who becomes the musician's wife. The musician's maturity is full of conflicts between family life and musical vocation. The old age of the musician is connected with the supernatural world and wisdom. However, the capability of enchanting with music is preserved and consciously practiced. The death of the musician often has a symbolic meaning. The article contains an index of fairy-tales and summaries of their content.