Sława Przybylska – history. A voice that moves you since over a hundred songs

Sława Przybylska is one of the most important figures on the Polish music scene – an artist with a unique voice, exceptional sensitivity, and impressive artistic achievements. Although decades have passed since her debut, she still manages to move, inspire, and attract yet another generation of listeners. What did her journey to success look like?

Sława Przybylska – history

Sława Przybylska was born on November 2nd, 1932, in Międzyrzec Podlaski. From a young age she was interested in art and music, although at the beginning, her life path did not suggest an artistic career. Her young years were deeply marked by the political context of the time. When she was only seven, World War II broke out, having a profound impact on the future icon of Polish music. Przybylska was forced to leave her family home, hiding in the countryside, and witnessing numerous brutal crimes committed against Jews.

After the war ended, she resumed her education. It was then that she had her first serious contact with music. While studying at the Main School of Foreign Service, she sang a lot, led the choirs, trios and was active in amateur performances. At the age of 24, she made her first stage appearance in the play “Czarna przegrywa, czerwona wygrywa” (“Black Loses, Red Wins”) at the Student Satirical Theatre. Przybylska continued her theatrical career, appearing in subsequent productions.

Sława Przybylska – Pamiętasz była jesień

While her theatrical career undoubtedly taught her much, it was an event in 1957 that had the greatest impact on her popularity and career development. She then tried her hand at a music competition organized by Władysław Szpilman. Her performance of the song “Luna” was so good that Przybylska won the competition, clearly demonstrating her immense talent. The competition aimed to identify talented young artists and support them in creating music with the help of Polish Radio. Thanks to this success, she not only gained recognition but also received support for future projects. During the PRP (People’s Republic of Poland) times, such support was crucial – it opened doors to the international market and promoted the artist in home country as well.

This was the case for Przybylska. Just a year after winning the Szpilman Competition she released her debut album titled “Stare, a niezapomniane piosenki”. The album was a great success, thanks to not only the beautifully sung prewar numbers, but also thanks to another event that promoted her. It was the song called “Pamiętasz, była jesień”, which she recorded for Jerzy Has’ film “Pożegnania”. Her love for theatre and film clearly aided her musical career and contributed to her becoming one of the most recognizable vocalists in Poland.

Sława Przybylska – music

Sława Przybylska has released an extraordinary number of studio albums, compilations, and EPs. Since the release of her debut album, she has created over forty musical projects of various kinds.

As early as 1958, the same year the album “Stare, a niezapomniane piosenki” was released, Przybylska released three EPs. She didn’t stop there. Over the following years she consistently – and surprisingly prolifically – released albums, offering listeners what they loved the most- her voice.

Sława Przybylska – Gdzie są kwiaty z tamtych lat?

1959 was also a significant year in her career. That’s when her second album “Melodie o zmroku” (Melodies at Dusk) was released. At the same time, the artist began touring regularly – including abroad – and performing on the radio.

Przybylska didn’t rest on her laurels – she constantly learned and evaluated herself. She performed at the Sopot International Song Festival, where she won first place with the song “Kuglarze” (“Jugglers”).

In the 70s, she released four albums. Her repertoire included both lyrical songs and more reflective pieces based on poetry. She often used lyrics by authors such as:

• Julian Tuwim
• Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński
• Bolesław Leśmian
• Bułat Okudżawa

Przybylska’s unique interpretation and her warm, charismatic voice gave each song a personal and emotional resonance.

Przybylska’s brilliant voice brought her immense fame – which in return contributed to the creation of further musical projects. She remained active artistically in the 80s, although her presence in the mainstream media was less noticeable compared to the previous decades. She didn’t release any albums during that decade. However, she made up for this in the 90s by releasing seven new albums. Her latest album was released in 2017.

In the meantime, she continued to give concerts and performed at major music events, often winning top awards.

Sława Przybylska – today

Despite turning 94 years old, Sława Przybylska remains artistically active. In 2024 the artist held a series of concerts under the banner “Legendarne przeboje” (Legendary Hits), performing in cities such as Gdańsk, Warsaw and Łomża. During these events, she performed both her classic works and new compositions, such as “Tańcząca Brzoza” (“Dancing Birch”), composed by Janusz Tylman, her longtime accompanist, and friends.

Pamiętasz była jesień – Dominika Dobrosielska i Sława Przybylska

In December 2024, the Lubrański Academy in Poznań hosted a premiere of the music video for the song “Pamiętasz była jesień” (Remember It Was Autumn), in which Przybylska appeared alongside a young artist Dominika Dobrosielska. This project symbolized the passing of the musical baton between generations.

Fun facts about the artist’s life

• Sława Przybylska has been awarded eleven different distinctions. They include The Golden Badge of Honour “For Merit to Warsaw”, Gold Cross of Merit and the Golden Cross for “Merit to Culture Gloria Artis”.
• The artist has appeared in a total of three film productions: Popiół i diament (Ash and Diamond) -directed by Andrzej Wajda, Zezowate szczęście-directed by Andrzej Munk and Niewinni czarodzieje (Innocent Wizards)- directed by Andrzej Wajda.
• In 2016 her book “Radosny smutek przemijania” (“The joyful sadness of passing”) was published, in which she shares her reflections on life, transience and her artistic path.
• In interviews, she has repeatedly emphasized that she relaxes best by listening to birdsong and observing nature.

Written by:Paweł Skarzyński
Translation: Martyna Kawaler
Zdjęcia: Wikipedia

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