(This project was formulated and edited by Katarzyna Borek and Maja Kuta - May 2009)

CONCERT FOR VIOLIN, PIANO AND VISUALISATIONS

• Katarzyna Borek – piano (biography)
• Karolina Piątkowska - Nowicka - violin (biography)
• Maja Kuta - wizualisations (biography)

This project is a part of the programme written by Katarzyna Borek, which has won the competition for the best classical project Young New Talents” 2009 in Belgium. Potential organizers of concerts located in Belgium may be eligible for a subsidy from the Podium program sponsored by the Flemish Government. For further information on the subsidy, please contact the manager and the project coordinator.

PROCJECT DESCRIPTION

a still from one of the the visualisations

Katarzyna Borekm pianist and Maja Kuta, animation and visual artist, have been friends for many years. The idea of combining the music of Chopin with visual arts was conceived a few years ago and is an effect of the will to match sound with sight and an attempt to introduce elements of dialogue to music illustration. The artists have planned to create such a project for many years. The animations are original, mixed digitally and projected onto the stage by means of a multimedia projector. 

The proposition of a full spectacle involves a combination of a concert for violin and grand piano and a visual interpretation of music.

Katarzyna Borek (pianist) and Karolina Piątkowska (violinist) have been performing together since they attended the same school of music in Gdańsk/Danzig. At the age of 17 they won the National Chamber Music Competition in Wrocław, Poland and the Chamber Music Competition in Gdańsk which resulted in receiving numerous concert invitations in Poland and abroad. The artists continue to perform together while pursuing independent solo careers.

The concert includes works of Frederic Chopin in their original solo versions as well as transcriptions for violin and the grand piano written by famous composers and violin virtuosi like Jascha Heifetz, Karol Lipiński, Fritz Kreisler or Pablo Sarasate. These pieces, considered some of the most beautiful arrangements for such an ensemble, are bound to be appreciated not only by experts, but also for everyone willing to embark on the journey into the world classical music. Many works of Chopin find their inspiration in romantic poetry. This is why his artistic output includes songs with piano accompaniment. The violin is considered the best instrument for imitating the characteristics of the human voice. In French, the E string of the violin is called "la chanterelle", which means "the singer". Transcriptions of Chopin`s pieces for violin and piano preserve thus the quality of his music while presenting it in an alternative, but equally logical tonal palette.

The concert may be also performed as a solo recital by Katarzyna Borek with visualisations.


VISUAL PRESENTATION
Coming soon!
 

Time: 60 minutes

PROGRAMME

Legende in A flat major from "Miscellanea" op.16
Nocturne in B flat major from "Miscellanea" op.16
Melody from "Miscellanea" op.16
Polonaise in B major op.9 from "Polish Dances"
Burlesque from "Humoresques de Concert" op.14
Minuet in G major in "Humoresques de Concert" op.14
Cracovienne Fantastique from "Humoresques de Concert" op.14
Chant d` Amour from "Album de Mai" op.10
Scherzino from "Album de Mai" op.10
Variations and Fugue in E flat minor op.23

DESCRIPTION

For many years performing Paderewski's works has not been received well because of political reasons. This is why there are but a handful of recorded performances of works by this composer. Most of the above pieces have been in Katarzyna Borek's repertoire for many years.
She has presented these works in Poland in numerous concerts organised by the Paderewski in Memoriam Foundation in Warsaw as well as abroad. She's a laureate of the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Competition in Piotrków Trybunalski (1994), where she has received the 1st prize. She has also received the Prize for the best performance of Paderewski's works founded by dr. Paderewska-Chrościcka.
For the performance of "Variations and Fugue in E flat minor", which is included in the proposed repertoire, Katarzyna Borek has received the Special Prize in the International Paderewski Competition in Bydgoszcz (1998). She has also received the 3rd Prize and the Prize for the best Polish performer during the same competition.

On January the 25th 2010 Katarzyna Borek has received the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage's “Young Poland” Subsidy for recording an album with the pieces mentioned above. The album will be recorded and published by SUBITO RECORDS. It will be realized in the year 2010 in cooperation with ONE PRODUCTIONS .