Wałach, Stanisław

Born in Istebna [S of Wisła]; He learned to play the Gajdy on the instrument of his father, artist Jan Wałach. It was the third Gajdy Jan Kawulok "uod Wojtosza" had made; As a child he accompanied his father in painting sessions in the "Trójwieś [Triple village] Beskidzka" [i.e. Istebna, Koniaków, and Jaworzynka [triangle S-SSE of Wisła]; ws], in the Silesian Beskid mountains, where he met a lot of pipers and became fascinated with the music of the mountaineers; He bought his first Gajdy from Paweł Urbaczka; Currently [i.e. 2014; ws] it is considered the most beautifully decorated instrument in Istebna; Stanisław played together with the brothers Antoni, Franciszek and Józef Michałek, who were violinists; He moved to Zubrzyca [WNW of Nowy Targ], where he led a regional ensemble; He also played the violin, as did several members of his relatives; His nephew Rafał (son of Józef) played the Gajdy as well; NB: ➺ Family tree.