Szymanowski’s music is one of the absolute highlights of early modernism. His early works were still influenced by the music of Richard Strauss, but he went on to meld the late-Romantic idiom with French impressionism, leading to an authentic synthesis of two very different worlds. In his later years, he strove for a Polish style that would unite the nation’s folk songs with contemporary music. A fine pianist, he explored most mediums, including concertos, songs, chamber music and a glittering operatic masterpiece, King Roger.