1930

Palester writes several new compositions: String Quartet no. 1 (lost), Three songs to words by Kazimiera Iłłakowicz (Palester’s first surviving work) andSymphonic Music (the young composer’s first piece for orchestra).

Palester begins his collaboration with the radio by writing music to a radio play entitled The Sicilian or Love the Painter. By the outbreak of WWII Palester will compose music to approx. 40 radio programmes and plays.

1931

29 May – the premiere of Palester’s Symphonic Music” at the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall is the first success of the young composer. Soon the work will be performed at the 9th Festival of Contemporary Music in London and Oxford.

In June Palester completes his studies under Sikorski presenting as his final work Psalm V to words by Wespazjan Kochowski.

He becomes the music director of city theatres in Lviv.

1932

Palester becomes Deputy Member of the Board of the Polish Composer's Association.

He writes two more works: "Children's Symphony" and "Dance from Osmołoda.

18 June - premiere of the fim "Dzikie pola" ["Wild fields"] with Palester's music. This is Palester's first film composition.

11 Novemeber - premiere of "Dance from Osmołoda at the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall. Warsaw cristics were not very enthusiastic about the young composer's work.

1933

Palester composes music to the film Zabawka [Toy] and to numerous theatre plays.

1934

Palester collaborates with Teatr Polski in Warsaw, writing incidental music to plays staged by Leon Schiller: Dziady [Forefathers’ Eve] and Midsummer Night’s Dream. He also composes Symphony no. 1.

It wasn’t until I heard it that I realised the stupidity and emptiness of the entire idea. It’s just that the banality of the themes and the atmosphere of cheap folkore led me unconsciously to simplicity, which was, it has to be said, in accordance with my purely musical assumption, but this assumption itself was not worth all that effort. I put the score aside with a firm conviction that it would never be played again.

1935

In July Palester takes part in a musicians’ congress in Krzemieniec.

He writes Variations for chamber orchestra, Little Overture and 3 Pieces for piano.

1936

Dance from Osmołoda is well received at the Festival of the International Society for Contemporary Music in Barcelona. The composer, who is present at the Festival, has an opportunity to become acquainted with the latest works by Bartók, Schönberg and Berg. While in Barcelona, he also meets Barbara Podoska who is the secretary of the Board of the Polish Society for Contemporary Music. This friendship quickly turns into love.

At the beginning of the year the composer goes to Paris where he meets members of the Association of Young Polish Musicians in Paris. The works he writes at that time are: Concerto for piano, Sonatina for 3 clarinets andString Quartet no. 2.

1937

7 April – Karol Szymanowski’s Piano Variations op. 10 orchestrated by Palester are performed during Szymanowski’s funeral. This was Roman Palester’s homage to the great composer.

19 November – Palester’s ballet Song of the Earth is premiered during the World’s Fair in Paris. The work was commissioned by the Polish Ballet.

They paid so well that I was unable to refuse, but I was in a hurry to join Barbara who was waiting for me in Carry-le-Rouet near Marseille. So I picked up some bits and pieces that I meant to discard and quickly put together this ballet which – surprisingly – various theatres still go back to and no one complains […]

1938

Palester composes Symphonic Suite and Concertino for alto saxohpone.

6 April - Song of the Earth is performed in Poland for the first time (at Teatr Wielki in Warsaw). The reviews are favourable.

1939

The Festival of the International Society for Contemporary Music is held in Warsaw and its programme includes the ballet Song of the Earth. Roman Palester and Barbara Podoska are in charge of the Festival’s secretariat.

1 September – Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland begins the Second World War.

[Barbara] called me from Montecatini towards the end of August, asking me whether she should return or wait for me in Italy. As we were all expecting the war at that time, I asked her – though I still hadn’t been called up – to come back, which she did, arriving in Warsaw on 30 August, i.e. travelling on the last train that came from Vienna.

During the winter Palester composes Sonata for 2 violins and piano.