II Krogulski International Piano Competition
in Tarnów
Dr Krystian Tkaczewski, Poland/USA
- President
Hailed as “Polish Virtuoso,” Krystian Tkaczewski is pursuing his splendid piano career in USA, Asia and Europe. He had his triumph in having Carnegie Hall Debut in April 2007. Anthony Aibel (critic of New York Concert Review) wrote among others: Tkaczewski was elegant, showed in-depth knowledge, played with passion, showed power-house technic. Reading of Rachmaninov and of Prokofiev was excellent. Szymanowski was exquisitely shaped, showing lovely shadings and contrasts of dynamics. He showed devotion and natural affinity for music of his homeland.
Krystian Tkaczewski was born in 1980 in Tarnów, Poland. In 2000 Krystian became a student of Olga Rusina at the Academy of Music in Wrocław, from which he graduated in 2004 with a Master of Arts degree. In 2007 Krystian received a graduate diploma. In 2014, Krystian Tkaczewski received Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Hartt School, University of Hartford in the studio of professor Oxana Yablonskaya. Krystian was also awarded The Honor Regents Award, for the best graduating doctoral candidate of the Hartt School and prestigious induction to Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society.
Krystian has been a laureate of over 25 international piano competitions in such countries as: Greece (Athens), Italy, Spain (Madrid), Macedonia, Czech Republic and USA (i.e. Iturbi, Artists International, Bradshaw and Buono, 5 Towns, Joyce Dutka, American Protégé, Web Concert Hall).
Dr. Krystian Tkaczewski was invited to take part in various festivals such as: Chopin Festival in Marienbad, Paderewski Festival, Chopin Festival in Gaming, Austria, Chopin Fest in Kosovo, Chopin Festival in Antonin, Poland, Festival of Polish Pianists in Słupsk, Lato z Chopinem Festival in Busko-Zdrój, Chopin Forum in Wrocław, Inter-Fest Bitola in Macedonia, El Paso Chopin Festival, Chopin Festival in Budapest and recitals at the Chopin House in Żelazowa Wola and Royal
Lazienki in Warsaw. In the June 2006 Krystian featured as a soloist with Polish Radio Orchestra during 50th Anniversary of Society of Polish Artist Musicians gala in Royal Castle in Warsaw.
Dr. Tkaczewski has been frequently invited to adjudicate at international piano competitions: Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, Golden Key Festival in New Jersey, Debut International Piano Competition in Carnegie Hall, Solhi Al Wadi Piano Competition in Damascus, Rosario Marciano Piano Competition in Vienna, Chopin International Piano Competition in Budapest, Osaka International Music Competition, American Liszt Piano Competition in Los Angeles , Ragusa-Ibla Piano Competition in Ragusa, International Russian
Music Piano Competition in San Jose, International Piano Competition in Troisdorf, Germany, Princess Lalla Meryem International Piano Competition in Rabat, Western Australia International Piano Competition in Perth, Starlight Piano Competition in Buffalo., Chopin Competition of Asia.
Krystian has concertized on five continents and 30 countries: USA, Canada, Panama, Mexico, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Phillipines, Vietnam, Syria, Jordan, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Australia, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Andorra, Hungary and Macedonia. He featured with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Polish Radio Orchestra, Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Leopoldinum Orchestra,
Connecticut Virtuosi, Tarnów Chamber Orchestra and the Wroclaw Chamber Orchestra, conducted by E. Cumming, Ł. Borowicz, Z. Graca , M. Gawroński, K. Górski, M. Kolaska, A. Mackiewicz.
Krystian is also highly regarded as the clinician, serving as a guest artist to the Universities and as the lecturer of many master classes in such countries as: USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, China and Poland. His unique presentation on the interpretation of Chopin’s Mazurkas attracted numerous music institutions around the world.
Recipient of several scholarships and awards including the Chopin scholarship in 1995, Wroclaw Music Academy Academic Scholarship for 2001-2004, the Polish Minister of Culture Scholarship in 2002,2005, 2007 (Mloda Polska), City of Tarnów President's Scholarship for 2001- 2002, Musical Club of Hartford 's E.B.Storrs Scholarship and Tadeusz Sendzimir Memorial Fund. He was awarded for his contribution to the cultural heritage of the State of Connecticut during Immigrant Day at State Capitol
in Hartford in 2012. Krystian received proclamations for his achievements from Governor of Connecticut, Secretary of State of Connecticut, Mayor of Hartford. Krystian Tkaczewski received the prestigious CongressionalRecognition in honor of “inspiring pianists throughout the world with the music of Chopin.” by US Congressman John Larson. In 2015, Krystian Tkaczewski received the prestigious title- The Ambassador of Tarnὀw, for promoting his home town in the world. In 2015 received from Minister of Culture of Poland the Medal Merit to Polish Culture for his activity promoting Polish music. Moreover, He received the silver honorable badge from The Society of Lovers of Busko-Zdrὀj in July 2015.
Krystian Tkaczewski is an active member of the Society of Polish Musical Artists SPAM since 2004. Krystian is a founder and artistic director of Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford and the artistic director of Connecticut Chopin Foundation. Krystian Tkaczewski became a new artistic director of International Chopin Festival “Lato z Chopinem”, as nominated by deceased Barbara Hesse- Bukowska. Krystian has been also a founder and artistic director of Paderewski International Piano Competition to start in October 2016 and Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition in Busko-Zdroj. Also in 2016, Krystian will launch the new festival and masterclasses in his hometown Tarnὀw – Ambassador of Tarnὀw, Maestro Krystian Tkaczewski and his guests. The newest project founded by maestro Krystian Tkaczewski is "Future Stars International Piano Competition" to start in 2016.
Dr. Tkaczewski has received the prestigious “Extraordinary Ability in Arts” permanent residency in United States of America as one of a small percentage of those who have risen to the top in their field of endeavor.
