Following the celebrations accompanying the release of the last volume of Szymanowski’s Collected Works last October (see the November Newsletter for details), Teresa Chylińska was honored by the Rector of the Jagiellonian University with the “Plus ratio quam vis” medal on December 9, 2014. The ceremony was held at the Pusłowski Palace in Kraków, the seat of the Jagiellonian University’s Institute of Musicology. With the motto recognizing the value of intellectual effort over pure might, this medal is the highest distinction granted by the University to scholars and prominent intellectuals in recognition of extraordinary services to the institution and society at large.
The late Pope John Paul II was the first recipient of this medal in 1997, minted to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Jagiellonian University. Since then, a carefully selected rank including European heads of state, scholars, writers and professors were recognized with this honor.
Teresa Chylińska’s “Plus ratio quam vis” medal recognized her lifetime achievement in research and publications on Karol Szymanowski. Serving for about a half century as Editor-in-Chief for the Collected Works of Szymanowski (PWM), Chylińska has also authored several books on Karol Szymanowski and his family. Her latest book about the composer’s sister—Stanisława Szymanowska, published by the UJ Institute of Musicology—was officially unveiled at the December award ceremony.
This festive event was capped by a piano recital by Mariola Cieniawa-Puchała, faculty at the Kraków Music Academy, who performed solo works by Chopin and Szymanowski.