
Music of Polish-Jewish composers in the USA
From October to December, Polish Chamber Musicians’ Association is implementing the international project “Music of Polish-Jewish composers in the USA”. The concerts will familiarize the American audience with the unknown site of the Polish-Jewish musical legacy, and will present the works and biographies of outstanding artists.
The project is a chamber concert tour with events in Los Angeles, including the University of Southern California and Holocaust Museum LA, in San Francisco, Seattle, Paso Robles, San Diego and New York. Finest performers from Poland will play music by R. Ryterband, M. Weinberg, S. Laks, K. Rathaus, G. Fitelberg and I. Friedman. Short pre-concert lectures will also be given, introducing not only individual, difficult creative and life paths of the composers, but also trying to depict the musical atmosphere of multicultural Poland.
Organizers

Partners



Concerts program



















Bartosz Koziak (cello)
Bartosz Koziak is the winner of the 3rd Witold Lutoslawski International Cello Competition in 2001 in Warsaw, Poland, a winner of the 2nd prize at the International Cello Competition in Tongyeong (Korea) in 2006 (“Isang Yun in memoriam”), winner of the 2nd prize at the Mikola Lysenko Competition in Kiev in 2007 as well as winner of the International Contemporary Chamber Music Competition in Kraków, a laureate and a winner of a special prize at the Prague Spring Music Festival in 2006. Bartosz Koziak also received prizes at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 2002 and the ARD competition in Münich in 2005. In 2003, he received a special prize of the Polish Cultural Foundation awarded by Ewa Podleś. Bartosz Koziak is a holder of a scholarship granted by the French government and a participant in the programme of the Polish Ministry of Culture “Młoda Polska”. He performed at Konzerthaus in Berlin, Rudolfinum in Prague, Teatro Politeama in Palermo, Studio of Witold Lutoslawski, Khachaturian Hall in Yerevan, the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall. As a soloist, Bartosz Koziak collaborated with the Polish National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra Katowice, Sinfonia Varsovia, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, Concerto Budapest (under Andras Keller), Armenian State Orchestra (under Sergey Smbatayan), Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, radio orchestras in Warsaw and Budapest, as well as a majority of philharmonic halls in Poland conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki, Jan Krenz, Antoni Wit, Gabriel Chmura, Jacek Kaspszyk, Tan Dun and Massimiliano Caldi. Since 2007 he plays in piano trio with the violinist Kaja Danczowska and the pianist Justyna Danczowska. He is invited to renowned festivals, such as Warsaw Autumn, L. van Beethoven Easter Festival, Mecklemburg Vorpommen, Young Euro Classic in Berlin, Chopin and his Europe. Bartosz Koziak is for many years playing with the pianist Agnieszka Kozło as well as with the violonist Anna Maria Staśkiewicz. In the recent years Bartosz Koziak has been regularly invited for participation at concert projects of Krzysztof Penderecki. He participated in the first recording of “Concerto Grosso” conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki and made several recordings for Polish Radio. Bartosz Koziak graduated in the class of Prof. Kazimierz Michalik and Andrzej Bauer at the Fryderyk Chopin University in Warsaw, receiving a “Magna cum Laude” distinction and completed Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris in the class of Philippe Muller. Thanks to the kindness of Kaja Danczowska he plays on a 19th c. copy of J.B. Guadagnini’s instrument, previously used by the outstanding Polish cellist Dezyderiusz Danczowski during his concerts.

Piotr Różański (piano)
Piotr Różański graduated from the piano studies at the Academy of Music in Krakow in the class of prof. Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń (undergraduate studies) and prof. Ewa Bukojemska (master’s degree). He studied chamber music for five years in the class of prof. Janina Romańska-Werner. In 2014 he received the degree of doctor of art and in 2019 – a post-doctoral degree. He is currently a member of the Piano Department at the Academy of Music in Krakow and a piano teacher at the 2nd Degree Music School of Frederic Chopin in Krakow. Piotr Różański is a laureate of numerous piano competitions, both nationwide and international (including the 38th Chopin National Piano Competition, Warsaw 2006 – first prize, the Piano Competition for the YAMAHA Foundation scholarship, Gdańsk 2008 – first prize). He is also a semi-finalist of the Piano-e-Competition in Minneapolis (USA) 2009; the Euroradio Competition in Bratislava (as the Polish representative) 2009; and the J. Brahms Competition in Pörtschach 2011. He has performed in Poland and many other European countries (including the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, France, Great Britain, Lithuania), as well as in Israel and the USA. As a chamber musician, he cooperated e.g. with Kaja Danczowska, Maria Sławek, Grzegorz Mania, Piotr Reichert, Marcin Zdunik, Rafał Kwiatkowski, Robert Kabara, Piotr Lato, Jacek Ozimkowski, Julia Malik, Milena Kędra, Aleksandra Lelek, Beata Urbanek-Kalinowska, Monika Gardoń-Preinl. He performed at the following festivals: “Winners and Masters”, “Chopin and his Europe”, “The Lodz Philharmonic Premiere”, “Wawel at Dusk”, “Summer Music”, “Mozartiana”, “Music in Old Krakow”, “Emanations”, Young Musicians Festival, International Chopin Piano Festival in Duszniki Zdrój, Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival. He took part in numerous master courses conducted e.g. by: Eugen Indijca, Dina Yoffe, Aleksey Orlovetsky, Paul Badura-Skoda, Joaquin Soriano, Thomas Ungar, Eleanor Wong. Since 2007, Piotr Różański forms a duo with the violinist Maria Sławek. In 2012, their debut album with the sonatas of Robert Schumann and Sergei Prokofiev was released, and in 2015, their next album appeared on the market – this time with Mieczysław Weinberg’s pieces – recorded under the label CD Accord. In 2013, together with the Polish Radio Orchestra under the baton of Marek Moś, the musicians participated in the premiere of Anna Zawadzka- Gołosz’s piece Spettro, whose phonographic recording was included in the album devoted to the composer’s work, published by the Polish Radio. Since 2013, the pianist forms a piano duo with Grzegorz Mania. The Zarębski Piano Duo specializes in performing the forgotten nineteenth century Polish music (pieces by Władysław Żeleński, Juliusz Zarębski, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Zygmunt Noskowski) on the one hand, and significant four-handed pieces on the other, written in the twentieth and twenty-first century (e.g. by Samuel Barber, John Corigliano, Igor Stravinsky, Maurice Ravel). The artists performed e.g. in London’s St. Martin-in-the- Fields, at the Pharos Arts Foundation in Nicosia, at the Newman Recital Hall in Los Angeles, and as part of the prestigious Gradus ad Parnassum project – at the Master Piano Academy in Krakow. Piotr Różański is the laureate of several chamber music competitions, including the International Chamber Music Competition in Łódź 2010 and the Independent International Competition for Musical Individualities in Kiev 2010. He was also repeatedly awarded for outstanding accompaniment (Dąbrowa Górnicza 2010, Żywiec 2014, Nowy Targ 2016, Skierniewice 2016, Ostrava 2017). The pianist’s artistic and scientific interests revolve around piano and chamber music of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as piano music for the left hand. Piotr Różański has given lectures at scientific conferences, e.g. at the International Scientific Conference “To Remain Faithful to Oneself – Andrzej Panufnik and emigrant composers” (Krakow 2014), the National Scientific Conference “Culture and its development versus group music and changes in artistic education” (Dobczyce 2015); The 4th National Scientific Conference “Contexts of Music Education. Music in the Education of Children and Youth” (Łódź 2016), the 2nd National Scientific Conference “Contexts of Culture, Contexts of Education. Challenges of Artistic Education” (Dobczyce 2016). He has also written several articles and a monograph. He collaborates with the PWM Edition, developing piano music releases (e.g. works by Roman Ryterband or a selection of piano duets for four hands). Piotr Różański held the following scholarships: “Sapere Auso” Foundation, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage and the President of the City of Krakow.

Grzegorz Mania (piano)
Grzegorz Mania graduated with distinction from the Music Academy in Krakow, where he studied piano under Professor Stefan Wojtas. He is also a graduate (distinction) of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was tutored by Martin Roscoe, Charles Owen and Caroline Palmer. Grzegorz is also a graduate of the Jagiellonian University, where he read law and recently obtained a PhD for a dissertation about music and copyright (awarded by the Polish Ministry of Science). He works as a soloist, with orchestra, as an accompanist and chamber musician, as well as regularly duetting with Alicja Smietana, Romana Szczepaniak, Maria Slawek, violinists and Piotr Rozanski, pianist. He is a member of the Extra Sounds Ensemble – the group has recently recorded a CD for Solo Musica, Munchen with pieces by Corelli, Vivaldi, Schnittke and Kreisler. Grzegorz played in many important halls and during many national and international festivals in Poland and abroad – UK, France, Austria, Italy, Norway, Iceland, Vietnam, Israel, USA. Performing at the International Chamber Music Workshops in Pulawy (Poland, 2003-2005), he has also been a finalist in a number of international solo and chamber competitions from 2002 to the present. He won numerous awards for an outstanding accompaniment during national and international instrumental competitions. He has played in master- classes by, among others, Jerome Rose, Victor Rosenbaum, Wolfgang Redik, Tadeusz Gadzina, Anthony Spiri, Peter S. Buck, Piotr Reichert; and has received coaching from Alexander Baillie, Ewa Bukojemska, Krzysztof Smietana, Wiesław Kwasny, Altenberg Trio, Alisdair Beatson, Carole Presland, Krzysztof Chorzelski and Jan Janski. Grzegorz is a co-founder and president of the Polish Chamber Musicians’ Association. He is an author of a book “Music and copyright law”, as well as a co-author of an innovative sight-reading handbook for pianists publishedby prestigious PWM Edition, famous from its edition.

Małgorzata Wasiucionek (violin)
Małgorzata Wasiucionek was born in 1990. She graduated from the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, in prof. Roman Lasocki’s class. Now she studies in Mozarteum in Salzburg, prof. Pierre Amoyala’s class. She started her music education in Jelenia Góra under the direction of Ludmiła Sołowiewicz. As a soloist she gave concerts with many orchestras in Poland and abroad e.g. The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic, Silesian Philharmonic Symphony, Baltic Philharmonics, Zielona Góra Philharmonic, Dolnośląska Philharmonic, Neue Lausitzer Philharmonie in Gӧrlitz, Loh-Orchestra of the City of Cottbus, and also the Orchestra of the City of Calgary. She is a laureate of many Polish and international competitions. Her latest achievements are: Stage II at the 14th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, 1st prize at the 4th Michał Spisak International Music Competition (2010) in Dąbrowa Górnicza, 1st prize and 4 special awards at the 7th Violin Competition Young Paganini (2009) in Legnica, special award at the 3rd J. Heifetz international Violin Competition (2009) in Vilnius, finalist of Competition of Concerts during workshops Morningside Music Bridge (2008) in Calgary. During courses both soloist and chamber ones she had lessons with remarkable violinists such as Maxim Vengerov, Ivry Gitlis, Roman Totenberg, Wolfgang Marschner, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Wanda Wiłkomirska. She is a laureate of the 7th scholarship programme Młoda Polska and other scholarships granted by the Minister of Culture, z Dolny Ślązak Programme.

Oriana Masternak (violin)
Oriana Masternak started her musical education at the age of 7. She graduated from the Academy of Music in Cracow, Royal Conservatorium in Brussels, European Chamber Music Academy, Yale School of Music and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Her musical masters include renowned artists such as Johannes Meissl, Roman Reiner, Katalin Sebestyen, Małgorzata Skorupa, Magdalena Szczepanowska and Tokyo Quartet. She participated in numerous master classes. In 2015 Oriana Masternak achieved a title of Doctor of Arts after completing her doctoral dissertation about the music of French composer, Lucien Durosoir. Currently she works as an assistant teacher at Department of Violin and Viola at the Academy of Music in Cracow. She is the prizewinner of many international competitions: 2nd and “Schostakovich Prize” in Plovdiv (Bulgaria, 2015), 2nd in New York (2015), 3rd in Italy (2013), “Soloist.eu” Prize in Austria (2012), Josef Windisch Prize in Austria (2011), 3rd Prize in Italy (2011), 2nd Prize and Baerenreiter Urtext Prize in Holland (2011), 3rd prize in Kraków (2007), Prize for the best performance G. Bacewicz’s composition in Łódź (2003). Her excellent music skills where quickly recognized and resulted in many scholarships, among others from Polish Minister of Culture (twice), European Chamber Music Academy, Pacific Music Festival (Japan), Louise Willson Scholarship (Yale University, USA), Thomastik Infeld Vienna, Adam Mickiewicz’s Institute. In 2009-2012 Oriana was studying (with Vistula Quartet) in European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA), where she had an opportunity to work with the greatest artists. In March 2009, she was invited by prof. Ray Robinson from Palm Beach Symphony, as well as the Kravis Centre to perform in Palm Beach, Florida in USA. In July 2009, she had an opportunity (with Vistula Quartet) to work with Tokyo String Quartet as one of three chosen ensembles during Pacific Music Festival in Japan. In March 2012 Vistula was invited to take part in prestigious educational program of Yale School of Music: Norfolk Chamber Music Festival in USA. Since 2014 Oriana has been a founding member of Messages Quartet – a chamber music formation specializing in Polish music performance. She performs solo and as a chamber musician in Asia, North America and majority of European countries. She took part in many festivals, such as Norfolk Chamber Music Festival (USA), Festival Pablo Casals (Prades), Mozartiade (Augsburg), Kalkalpen Festival (Grossraming), Pacific Music Festival (Sapporo), 21. Frühling Wiener Festival (Konzerthaus, Wien), Polish Music Days (Moscow). She performed in Musikveren in Vienna, Pushkin Museum in Moscow and Carnegie Hall in New York.

Maria Shetty (viola)
Maria Shetty graduated with honors from the Academy of Music in Krakow in the class of Prof. Janusz Pisarski (2008). She did her postgraduate studies at Universtität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien under Prof. Wolfgang Klos and asst. Ulrich Schönauer (2009). She also developed her skills at the prestigious European Chamber Music Academy (2011) and at various master classes working under the guidance of musicians and ensembles, such as H. Beyerle, J. Meissl, P. Buck, A. Kouyoumdjian, Apollon Musagete Quartet, and Tokyo String Quartet. In 2015, she was awarded a Doctorate degree in the field of Arts.Since 2011, she has been a violist at the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice. She was also cooperating with other Polish orchestras, such as Sinfonietta Cracovia and Capella Cracoviensis.She has won national and international competitions, namely the Second Prize and Special Prize for Interpretation of Shostakovich’s Music at the International Chamber Music Competition in Plovdiv (2015 ), Second Prize and Special Prize Baerenreiter Urtext Preis at the Charles Hennen Concours in Holland (2011), and Third Prize at the International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in Krakow (2007). She has received numerous scholarships from Programme “Young Poland”, Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Republic of Poland, Scientific Scholarship of City of Krakow, the European Chamber Music Academy, Pacific Music Festival in Japan and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. As a chamber musician, Maria Shetty regularly performs in various formations and takes part in NOSPR Chamber Series. She has performed in festivals, such as Festival Pablo Casals (Prades), Mozartiade (Augsburg), Kalkalpen Festival (Grossraming), Pacific Music Festival (Sapporo), the Internationales Musikfest Goslar-Harz, and Music Autumn in Przemysl. In 2014, she co-founded Messages Quartet – an ensemble specializing in the performance of Polish chamber music. The quartet has performed many times in Poland and abroad. In 2017, their debut album containing the recording of string quartets by Szymon Laks was released by the record company DUX. The album received excellent reviews in the French, German, British, American and Polish press. At the end of 2019, the second album of Messages Quartet was released, entitled “Messages”, which included compositions by A. Panufnik, S. Moniuszko and K. Penderecki. In 2016 she started teaching as an assistant in the viola class of Prof. Janusz Pisarski at the Music Academy in Krakow. She also conducts summer master classes during Małopolska Academy of Talents.

Beata Urbanek-Kalinowska (cello)
Beata Urbanek-Kalinowska graduated with honors from the Music Academy in Kraków in the cello class of prof. Zdzisław Łapiński, she obtained the Diplôme Supérieur d’Enseignement – A l’unanimité at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot in the class of prof. Paul Julien. She completed post-graduate studies at the Solistenklasse at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Stuttgart in the cello class of Professor Peter Buck. Since 2007 she is a professor in the Chamber Music Department of the Music Academy in Krakow. In 2018, she received habilitation in musical arts. Since 2014, Beata co-creates Messages Quartet, which is one of a leading among the best Polish string quartets. She is a laureate of competitions – Beata won the 2nd place and the Special Award “Shostakovich Prize” at the 2nd International Chamber Music Competition in Plovdiv in Bulgaria (with the Messages Quartet in 2015), the 3rd prize at the 4th International Chamber Music Competition J. Brahms in Gdańsk (2006), Special Award “Bräuer Optik Spezial preis für Kammermusik” at the 13th Internationales Klassikfestival in Allgäu in Germany (2005), 1st place at the Competition for the best interpretation of works by Krzysztof Penderecki for solo cello, Music Academy in Kraków (2003), 1st place in the Trio category at the 7th International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in Kraków (2003). She took part in masterclasses under the direction of: Krzysztof Penderecki, Stanisław Firlej, Angelika Mai, Peter Buck, Christian Euler, Marco Ylönen, Ralf Gothóni and Arvid Engegard. She perform at festivals in the country and abroad. With Nigel Kennnedy, with whom she has worked since 2010, she has recorded albums for Sony Classical – The Four Elements, The new Four Seasons and in 2018 for Warner Classics – Kennedy meets Gershwin. She performed in the most prestigious concert halls of Germany, Great Britain, France and Switzerland. She has an honor to be a duo partner of Nigel Kennedy in Two Part Inventions by J. S. Bach. As a guest concertmaster, she has worked with orchestras: Russische Kammerphilharmonie of St. Petersburg, Oberösterreichische Jugendsinfonieorchester, Capella Gedanensis, Orchester Philharmonique de Nice. As a cello leader, since 2003, she also collaborates with the Beethoven Academy Orchestra, which she has been co-creating from the beginning of the orchestra existence. Beata has also made recordings for the DUX publishing house as well as for the labels: Acte Préalable, Solo Musica and Universal Music Polska. She is a scholarship holder of the “Young Poland” program, a laureate of the scholarship of the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage and other Foundations supporting young talents.

Alicja Śmietana (violin)
Born in 1983 in Krakow, Poland Alicja Smietana performs works from Bach to Contemporary music with – what was described as – “Extraordinary brilliance and sensibility”; Winner of numerous competitions and awards (including First Prize at the Israeli International Competition and Brahms Society Award) Alicja studied at the Krakow Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Kronberg Academy where her teacher was Christian Tetzlaff.Gaining respect of many world-famous musicians Alicja has performed as a soloist and chamber musician together with Gidon Kremer, Nigel Kennedy, Ivan Monighetti, Yuri Bashmet, Martha Argerich, Simon Rattle, Gustav Dudamel, Boris Pergamenshikov and others all around the world. As a soloist she’s been also performing together with many world-renowned orchestras and ensembles and she’s made her international debut in London under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. She’s performed in worlds most important venues including Berlin Philharmonic and Royal Albert Hall.
Attending many international masterclasses such as Bachakademie, Sommerakademie Prag-Vien-Budapest, Kronberg Academy Alicja’s been privileged to get artistic guidance from many wonderful musicians including Hagai Shaham, Dorothy DeLay, Tabea Zimermann, Erich Gruenberg, Zvi Zeitlin and most recently Itzhak Perlman. Alicja’s also been a guest at many prestigious festivals such as Verbier, Buxton, Les Musiques and Schleswig-Holstein. Since 2003 she’s been occasionally involved with KREMERATA BALTICA – an internationally renowned group led by Gidon Kremer – which gave her the opportunity to work closely with many of the worlds finest musicians and conductors of our time. In 2010 she’s been asked by Nigel Kennedy to become a co-artistic director of his new ORCHESTRA OF LIFE with which she has also performed in the most renowned halls including Berlin Philharmonic, Cologne Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Palais des Congres and the Royal Festival Hall.
Alicja’s also keen on improvisation and is performing a lot of experimental music, jazz and contemporary music. She has also played in some of important venues like The 100 Club, The Vortex, Ronnie Scott’s and many others. Alicja records for Solo Musica and plays a magnificent Camillus Camilli violin dated for 1740 and a Jean Persoit bow thanks to Mr Nigel Brown and the Stradivari Trust.

Julia Samojło (piano)
Julia SAMOJŁO graduated from the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz in the class of Prof. Tatiana Shebanova. Following her studies, she completed an artistic internship under the supervision of Prof. Szábolcs Esztényi and post-graduate and doctoral studies under the artistic supervision of Prof. Maja Nosowska at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. She honed her skills under the direction of Ronan O’Hora, Graham Johnson, and Pamela Lidiard at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London as part of the Erasmus scholarship and a two-year Guildhall Artist Fellowship. She has participated in master classes conducted by such artists as Halina Czerny-Stefańska, Emanuel Krasovsky, Lee KumSing, Alexander Kobrin, Victor Derevianko, Alon Goldstein, Jerome Rose, Roger Vignoles, Julius Drake, and Martin Katz. She was a piano teacher at the City University in London (2011-2012) and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2011-2014). In 2007-2010 and 2016-2018 she was a chamber music pianist at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw.
A special place in the repertoire of Julia Samojło is occupied by piano chamber music and contemporary music. The pianist has made numerous premieres and many recordings for DUX, Musica Sacra, the Library-Music Library of the Polish Composers’ Union, and Polish Radio. In 2020 she premiered 24 Variations on a theme of a folk song by Roman Ryterband. In 2019 she recorded all songs by Zygmunt Stojowski with Magdalena Molendowska- soprano. In 2017, she made the world premiere of the Concerto for piano and orchestra, written for her by Edward Nesbit, with the New Music Orchestra conducted by Szymon Bywalec. In 2014-2017, she recorded compositions for solo piano and chamber ones by Krzysztof Baculewski for the record label DUX. In 2014, the CD of outstanding saxophonist Paweł Gusnar Saxophone Varie which includes, among others, Invitation by Maria Pokrzywińska recorded by Paweł and Julia, received the award of the phonographic industry Fryderyk in the category Album of the year – chamber music. In 2010, she recorded the Piano Concerto by Stefan Kisielewski with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jacek Kaspszyk.
In November 2015, Julia Samojło made her debut at the Carnegie Hall in New York with cellist Karolina Jaroszewska, with whom she has been creating a duo since 2008. She has also performed, among others, at Koninklijk Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Barbican Hall, Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, St John’s Smith Square in London, Rudolfinum in Prague, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and National Philharmonic in Warsaw. She has given concerts with, among others, the Sinfonia Varsovia, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Polish Radio Orchestra, New Music Orchestra, Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Łukasz Borowicz, Krzesimir Dębski, Jacek Kaspszyk, Alexander Liebreich, Szymon Bywalec, and Marek Moś. She has often performed at the Warsaw Music Encounters festival, concert cycles Musical Seasons of the Year, and Composers’ Portraits organised by the Polish Composers’ Union. She has also participated in such festivals as: Warsaw Autumn, From Chopin to Górecki – sources and inspirations, Radio Autumn in Prague, Oxford Lieder Festival, City of London Festival, and at the final concert of the Young Songmakers’ Almanac directed by Graham Johnson in London. Julia Samojło has been a laureate of numerous prizes and scholarships, including: 1st prize at the International Competition of Young Performers in Athens, Scholarship of the Prime Minister of Poland, Scholarship of the President of the City of Szczecin, Scholarship of the President of the City of Bydgoszcz, Scholarship of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. She is a chairman of the Warsaw branch of the Polish Chamber Musicians’ Association.

Magdalena Molendowska (soprano)
She graduated with honors from S. Moniuszko Music Academy in Gdańsk and Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal in her final year. In 2008 she was a member of the Opera Studio Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, where she worked with Renata Scotto. At the moment she is at a vocal guidance of Yvonne Kenny.
While studying at the GSMD Opera Course she was working under the guidance of Rudolf Piernay. She had also a priviledge to attend masterclasses of such artists as Gerald Finley, Anita Garanca, Helena Łazarska or Claudio Desderi. Her wide repertoire includes songs, oratorios and cantatas. In London Barbican Hall she presented songs by K. Szymanowski and A. Dvořak. Invited by Malcolm Martineau she recorded Huit chansons polonaises by F. Poulenc on the Poulenc vol.4 album. She is salso interested in contemporary music, for example she made first performance of Rythmi Urbani cantata by K. Dębski. Together with pianist Julia Samojło, a unique recording of the song of the eminent Polish emigrant composer Zygmunt Stojowski.
Since 2011 she has been a soloist of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw, where she made her debut at in Jakob Lenz by Wolfgang Rihm. In the 2012/13 season she returned to the Polish National Opera to perform the title role in Halka by Stanisław Moniuszko. She currently cooperates with Wroclaw Opera House, Krakow Opera House, Opera i Filharmonia Podlaska, Glyndebourne Festival and Baden-Baden Festspiele.
Her operatic repertoire consists of such roles by W.A. Mozart as: Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Contessa Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito and Arminda in La Finta Giardiniera. In her repertory list you will find also: Marguerite and Elena in Mefistofele A. Boito, Micaëla in Carmen G. Bizet, Mimi in La Boheme by G. Puccini, Tatiana in Eugene Onegin P. Tchaikovsky, Kurfürstin in Der Vogelhändler C. Zeller, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus J. Strauss and Mother in Hansel and Gretel by E. Humperdinck. In 2016 she appeared in the title role in Tosca by G. Puccini, in Wrocław Opera House production. In 2014 Magdalena Molendowska has debuted as A Milliner (Der Rosenkavalier) and Aninna (La Traviata) during Glyndebourne Festival with which in 2016 she has toured as Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni). The last season has brought her return as Halka to Polish National Opera and her appearance for the first time in Warsaw Chamber Opera as Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro. In 2019 she made her very well received debut as Katerina in The Greek Passion at Opera North, as well as in Silesia Philharmonic, where she sung the soprano part in Deutches Requiem by Brahms. Recently Naxos released a CD containing the recording of the opera Halka by S. Moniuszko under the baton of Gabriel Chmura and where miss Molendowska sung the title role. Among the upcoming events in 2021 it is worth to name the Magdalena Molendowska’s role and house debut as Leonore in Fidelio by Beethoven this Autumn and performing solo part in the XXI Symphony “Kaddish” by M. Wajnberg in Pomeranian Philharmonic Hall in Bydgoszcz.
She is actively involved in the activities of the Association of Polish Chamber Musicians in cooperation with which she implements several important artistic projects. She is a PhD student at the Music Academy in Bydgoszcz.
