Lutosławski began composing Musique funèbre in late 1954 and completed it in 1958. The piece is scored for a small string orchestra of four violins, two violas, two cellos, and two basses. Its first performance occurred on March 26, 1958 in Katowice by the National Polish Radio Orchestra under the direction of Jan Krenz, who commissioned the piece to honor its dedicatee, Béla Bartók (Harley 1998–2003). It received a notable performance later that year at the Warsaw Autumn Festival (Thomas 2005, 90). In 1959 it won both the Polish Composers' Union Prize as well as First prize from the UNESCO International Composers' Council.

Original Name Musique funèbre by Witold Lutoslawski
Date of composition 1958 (1954-1958)
Premiered 1958, March 26th
First published March 26, 1958
Dedicated to Béla Bartók
Instruments String Orchestra
Autotranslations beta Witold Lutosławski: Musique funèbre by Witold Lutoslawski "Funeral Music or Music of Mourning"
Witold Lutosławski: Musique funèbre by Witold Lutoslawski "Funeral Music or Music of Mourning"
Witold Lutosławski: Musique funèbre by Witold Lutoslawski "Funeral Music or Music of Mourning"