The 27th Autumn Music Festival "Alkagran" and the 13th Accordion Competition, dedicated to the memory of composer and accordionist Andrzej Krzanowski, will take place in Czechowice-Dziedzice from September 30 to October 5, 2024. The program will include special concerts, a symposium, competition auditions, and the Winners' Concert. Admission to all events is free!
On September 30, a concert commemorating the 10th anniversary of the death of Józef Świder will feature vocal works by this distinguished composer.
On October 1, in celebration of International Music Day and the 34th anniversary of Andrzej Krzanowski's death, a symposium titled "The Poetics of Music" will take place. Participants will include previous winners of the award for the best performance of Andrzej Krzanowski's compositions from the last competition (Przemysław Chałupka, Dawid Kosiński, Krzysztof Polnik), as well as musicologists. Speakers such as Magdalena Stochniol, Andrzej Kosowski, and composer Marcin Bortnowski will discuss Krzanowski's music.
A special guest of the festival will be renowned Moldovan accordionist Radu Ratoi. His recital, on October 2, will showcase how he blends two major musical traditions: the Russian and Western European schools.
On October 3, the accordion quintet Groomy Bellows will present pieces from their latest album Andrzej Krzanowski Studies. The quintet won the first prize, a special award for the best performance of Andrzej Krzanowski's work, and the Creative Music Award for an outstanding chamber music performance at the 12th Andrzej Krzanowski Accordion Competition.
The competition, open to musicians up to the age of 30, is divided into solo and chamber categories. The competition repertoire places significant emphasis on original accordion and chamber music involving the accordion, with a special focus on the works of Andrzej Krzanowski. This year’s jury includes distinguished educators, concert accordionists, and composers: Klaudiusz Baran, Vladimir Blagojević (Serbia), Marcin Bortnowski, Bogdan Dowlasz, Geir Draugsvoll (Denmark), Maciej Frąckiewicz, and Janusz Pater (secretary). Grażyna Krzanowska will serve as honorary chair. The first prize in each category is 12,000 PLN.
The awards ceremony and Winners' Concert will close the festival on October 5.
All concerts and competition auditions will be streamed live on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@jesiennyfestiwalmuzycznyal2197
The organizers of the Autumn Alkagran Festival are the Municipal Cultural Center and the Small Academy of Music in Czechowice-Dziedzice.
The festival is held under the honorary patronage of Andrzej Płonka, Starosta of Bielsko County, and Marian Błachut, Mayor of Czechowice-Dziedzice.
Media patronage: Polish Music information Centre POLMIC
The portal https://www.andrzejkrzanowski.pl/ offers an in-depth look at the life and work of composer Andrzej Krzanowski, while the website https://alkagran.pl/ provides information about events related to him.
