Władysław Żeleński’s musical education included piano studies under Jan Germasz, and harmony and counterpoint studies under Franciszek Mirecki, a student of Johann Nepomuk Hummel. He continued his studies in Prague with Josef Krejči, and later in Paris with Napoléon Henri Reber, mastering the skill of composition based on classical teaching methods. While in Prague he also earned a Ph.D in philosophy. After these studies, Żeleński returned to Kraków, leaving quite soon, however, for Warsaw, where he worked as a teacher at the Institute of Music. He was strongly involved in Polish cultural activities, including a revival of local musical life, even though at the time Poland was partitioned. This led to his appointment as director of the Warsaw Music Society. At the beginning of the 1880s, he once again returned to Kraków and attempted to transfer his Warsaw experiences to the conservative local music milieu. Besides composing, he also worked as a conductor of amateur ensembles and as a teacher. It was upon his initiative that the Conservatory of the Kraków Music Society was established in 1888. He continued to work until his death on 23 January 1921.