Wojciech Kostrzewa

Poland

4 June 1992

Spells

"It is a two-part piece inspired by the state of meditation and half asleep. The title doesn’t impose anything particular but should suggest an association with something surreal and dreamlike. It consists of two main sections which also involve tiny fragments connected with a simple melodic motive. The first section is built mainly with freely played – as if improvised – parts of the soloists. This can give the listener the impression of the chimes gently and quietly swaying in the wind. Violin leads and the piano follows – repeating pitches in some sections and playing with slight variations in other ones. The second section is more dynamic and expressive. The texture is similar, but I wanted to add a little spirit of Béla Bartók, which can be especially noticeable in the harmonic and rhythm elements. It has a few climaxes but only the last one – “con fuoco” section – is basically a cadenza and coda."

Wojciech Kostrzewa is a composer and drummer. Completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree studies at The Chopin University of Music in the composition class taught by professor Marcin Błażewicz. Laureate of the 1st Prize and distinction awarded to orchestra at the Composers’ Competition “In modo di Lutosławski". Semi - finalist at the Maurice Ravel International Composition Competition in Bergamo in 2015. Winner of the main prize at the 4th International Composers’ Competition organized by Gorzów Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Wojciech Kilar Contemporary Music Festival. Winner of the 1st place and Audience Award at the 3rd edition of the Composers’ Competition “Arboretum” of Krzysztof Penderecki in 2017. In October 2018 he won the Composers’ Competition organized as part of celebrations of the centenary of the ZAiKS Artists Association where he also received the Audience Award.

Participant of the Lowell Lieberman composition workshops at The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music and summer courses in Academy of Music (Kraków, Poland) at Józef Rychlik composition class.

Recent major performances of his compositions: Premiere of the ballet „Husband and wife” with the music of Wojciech and Stanisław Moniuszko at the Polish National Opera (2019); Premiere of the “Fantasia on themes by Stanisław Moniuszko” commissioned by the Polish National Opera, at the The Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music (2019); Premiere of the “Hollywood Fantasy” for violin and accordion at the Alliance Française in Bangkok (2019); Premiere of the „Concerto Varsovia” (Concerto for Orchestra) comissioned by the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra, at the SV Concert Pavilion (2020); Premiere of the “Kitchen symphony” for actor and drummer in Luxembourg (2022).