Zyla Talks

10.00 Monika Zyla in conversation with Spółdzielnia Muzyczna Contemporary Ensemble

Matinee with the members of contemporary music ensemble Spółdzielnia Muzyczna: Aleksander Wnuk (Percussion), Barbara Mglej (Viola, Violin), Krzysztof Guńka (Saxophone), Jakub Gucik (Cello), and Aleksandra Płaczek (Piano). We talk about performing contemporary music in Poland and Europe after the pandemic, the ensemble’s life after receiving the ensemble prize from Siemens Stiftung in 2021, present and future artistic collaborations and friendships, recent challenges, and experiences during their residence and concerts at the Darmstadt Summer Course this year.

12.00 Monika Zyla in conversation with Wojtek Blecharz

In the second part, we talk with the composer Wojtek Blecharz. In 2012, Wojtek received a stipend prize of the Darmstadt Summer Course, and many other prestigious prizes and awards. With commissions and performances all over the world, Wojtek’s music is cherished for its creativity, experimentation, holistic approach, and attention toward embodied experiences. Wojtek often serves as a mentor for a younger generation of Polish and international composers. In 2015, Wojtek received his Ph. D. in music composition at the University of California San Diego. We talk about his return to Darmstadt, his new composition Concerto for Piano and Wireless Speakers to be premiered by Rei Nakamura in Darmstadt Orangerie on 15 August (19.30 and 21.30) transparency and fairness in the new music scene, and the situation of composing music without a deadline.

Presented by Monika Zyla and Andoz Krishnadas for AkiMaki Inc.
in collaboration with Deutsches Polen-Institut Darmstadt and Darmstädter Ferienkurse

Accessibility information: Unfortunately, there is not elevator accessible.