Born in Vouziers, Witkowski moved as a child with his family to Lyon, where his father based his career at the conservatory, which he directed.
Witkowski studied music with his father, cello with Léonce Allard and piano with Blanche Selva.
He took part in the premiere of works by such artists as Vincent d'Indy, Adrien Rougier, Florent Schmitt, and his own father, Georges Martin Witkowski.
He also brought to Lyon some of the most renowned interpreters of the time: Robert Casadesus, Zino Francescatti, Jacques Thibaud, Alfred Cortot, Yves Nat, Ninon Vallin, Ginette Neveu, Ennemond Trillat, Marguerite Long, Paul Tortelier, Samson François, etc.
[2] When his father died in 1943, Witkowsi succeeded him as head of the Orchestre National de Lyon.