INTERNATIONAL MOZART FESTIVAL

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Chopin University Accordion Trio

The ensemble consists of outstanding Polish accordionists associated with the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music - Klaudiusz Baran, Rafał Grząka, and Grzegorz Palus. They are educators at the Warsaw music institution but primarily performing musicians who inspire younger generations of art enthusiasts to delve deeper into accordion playing. The trio's repertoire consists mainly of Polish music, original compositions, and numerous transcriptions – works by creators such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Krzysztof Penderecki, Wojciech Kilar, Andrzej Krzanowski, Marta Ptaszyńska, Władysław Zolotariow, and younger generation composers like Mikołaj Majkusiak, Ignacy Zalewski, and Wojciech Kostrzewa. The ensemble has performed at the EMANACJE International Music Festival in the concert hall of the Krzysztof Penderecki European Music Centre in Lusławice, the Zielona Góra Philharmonic, the Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium in Warsaw, the Zamoyski Museum chapel in Kozłówka, and the Redouten Halls of the Grand Theatre and National Opera in Warsaw. The Chopin University Accordion Trio's "Tribute to Moniuszko" album was nominated for the Fryderyk 2021 Award in the contemporary music category.

Klaudiusz Baran (1971)

Accordionist, bandoneonist, chamber musician, educator, habilitated doctor professor. He graduated from the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (currently UMFC) in the class of Jerzy Jurk (1995) and also studied at the Paul Dukas Conservatoire in Paris under Max Bonnay. As an educator, he has been associated with his alma mater, where he has held managerial positions since 2002, including the most important one – the rector (from 2016). His artistic achievements have changed the perception of the accordion in Poland, elevating it to the position of a full-fledged instrument shaping the real world of music. He effortlessly explores diverse repertoires from various epochs, but his interpretations of contemporary music, including nearly 50 premieres of solo, chamber, and orchestral pieces, most of which were dedicated to him or inspired by him, have garnered the most acclaim. His great passion is Argentine tango, especially Astor Piazzolla's nuevo tango, virtuosically performed on the bandoneon, which he introduced to concert halls as the first Polish instrumentalist. He was the first accordionist to perform as a soloist accompanied by the National Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a three-time Fryderyk award winner. In 2003, he was the first accordionist to receive the award for the album "Astor Piazzolla – Tango." In 2020, the prestigious box set "100 on 100. Musical Decades of Freedom" featuring him was awarded in two categories: "Album of the Year - Symphonic Music" and "Most Outstanding Recording of Polish Music". He has over 80 albums to his credit. In 2010, he was awarded the Bronze Medal "Merit for Culture Gloria Artis."

 

Rafał Grząka (1984)

Accordionist, chamber musician, educator, habilitated doctor of musical arts, professor at UMFC. He is a graduate of UMFC in the accordion class of Klaudiusz Baran and the post-secondary Henryk Majewski Jazz Study in Warsaw in the class of Andrzej Jagodziński. He teaches accordion at his alma mater and serves as the Dean of Student Affairs of the UMFC Instrumental Faculty. He is a laureate of over 35 international and national accordion competitions. His ensemble, KlezmaFour, received the prestigious City Winery of New York award at the International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam (2010). He has been nominated for the Fryderyk award twice. He performed the improvised accordion part in the final part of the game "The Witcher: Blood and Wine." He has performed in most Polish philharmonics. In the 2016/2017 concert season, he was the resident artist of the Elbląg Chamber Orchestra. He received the UMFC Rector's Award (2017) for scientific and artistic achievements and the "Teacher of the Medal 2018" award organized by "Polska The Times." Since 2018, he has been the vice-president of the Association of Polish Accordionists.

 

Grzegorz Palus (1987)

Accordionist, chamber musician, educator, doctor of musical arts. Born in Krakow, this musician belongs to the group of the most distinguished accordionists. He is a graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, the Hochschule für Musik Detmold, and the Academy of Music in Krakow. Since 2016, he has been teaching at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music. He is a laureate of numerous awards and distinctions in national and international music competitions. Among his most significant achievements are the Grand Prix of the International Accordion Competition in Poprad (Slovakia, 2007) and the 1st prize in the 37th International Accordion Competition in Pula (Croatia, 2012). As a soloist and chamber musician, he leads an active concert activity at home and abroad. He has often performed as a soloist accompanied by orchestras – including the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic Orchestra in Krakow and the "PANtonale PhilHARMONIKA" Festival Orchestra in Berlin. He conducts numerous master classes and accordion workshops. He has a track record of record and radio recordings. He regularly participates in premieres of contemporary solo and chamber accordion compositions.