Marek Tomaszewski met Wacław Kisielewski when they were both 18 years old and studying at the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw. They were the only men in the year to form a friendship, and they quickly came to the conclusion that they were born to play as a duo. This is how the “export goods” were created, a piano duet which they simply named Marek and Wacek after their first names.
Marek and Wacek started giving concerts while still in college. They knew they were made for a duo
They started giving concerts in 1963, initially performing improvisations on various topics, drawing primarily from classical music. They both had a fondness for , which significantly influenced their work. And they started playing their first improvisations out of boredom. – Wacek played jazz in Krakow, I played jazz in Gdańsk. And it started with boogie-woogie, with blues playing various standard variants – Marek Tomaszewski in an interview on Polish Radio.
Marek Tomaszewski and Wacław Kisielewski were stars. “It was enough to show up on TV”
Initially, they dealt with “covers of classical music”. They improvised the music of Moniuszko and Chopin, presenting famous pieces in modern arrangements. Soon they began to perform regularly on Polish Radio and Polish Television. – Back then, it was enough to show up at least once. And the man became famous – recalled Tomaszewski in the interview
Already in 1966, they went on a joint tour with Marlene Dietrich. They also performed with Violetta Villas, Ewa Demarczyk, and Anna German. They played to audiences in Canada, Japan, the USA and France. Some people frowned at the combination of classics and “kitsch”, as in the case of Moniuszko’s “Prząśniczka” and the Eurovision hit. – It was fun. Nobody played like that back then. We were unique – admitted Tomaszewski.
Despite quarrels and misunderstandings, they performed together for over 20 years. His career was interrupted by a tragic accident
They were called “export goods of the Polish People’s Republic”, although their career outside Poland was not as spectacular as in the country. As Tomaszewski recalled, during their stay in France they even played to the chop. Eventually, Kisielewski returned to Poland, Tomaszewski stayed in Paris.
– Wacek had relapses of grief from time to time. He listened to Rubinstein’s recordings and said: “I haven’t had a decent career.” Sure! How was he supposed to have a “proper career” if he didn’t like exercising? He liked to party and drink. He loved life too much. We both loved each other, Tomaszewski recalled in “Gazeta Wyborcza”. Even though they lived in different countries, they did not end their cooperation. However, it was not easy, as Kisielewski focused on the star’s life, not rehearsals and recordings.
Wacław Kisielewski died in 1986. “A gypsy woman once told him that he would die in an accident”
Despite disagreements, the Marek and Wacek duo performed for over 20 years. On July 9, 1986, Wacław Kisielewski got into a car with a friend who sat behind the wheel. A speeding car went off the road on a bend. Kisielewski fell through the windshield. Doctors fought for his life for several days. The musician did not regain consciousness and died on July 12, 1986. – A gypsy woman once told him that he would die in an accident – revealed Tomaszewski. – No sense. Idiotic accident – he added. After Kisielewski’s death, he withdrew into the shadows for some time, but eventually returned to giving concerts. He still lives in France.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
