Krzysztof Olczak, composer and accordion player, b. 26th May 1956 in ?ód?. He studied accordion with W?odzimierz Lech Puchnowski in the Music Academy in Warsaw (1975-79), and subsequently composition with Eugeniusz G?owski in the Music Academy in Gda?sk (honours degree in 1986). At present, he teaches an accordion class, conducts chamber ensembles and teaches a facultative course entitled “20th-century music performance practice” in the Music Academy in Gda?sk, where he also lectures in composition and instrumentation. For the last few years, he has also been the co-ordinator of the International Workshops of Contemporary Music for Composers and Performers, organised by the Gda?sk Academy.
He has received numerous awards for his compositions,incl. 1st and 2nd prizes (1984) and again 2nd prize (1988) in the “Premio Citta di Castelfidardo” Competition for Composers in Italy, 1st prize in the National Competition for Works for Accordion in Rzeszów (1985). He has also frequently been awarded as an accordion player, e.g. during the International Accordion Competition in Auckland (New Zealand) – bronze medal in 1980. His other awards and distinctions granted for his artistic activity include: The Stanis?aw Wyspia?ski Artistic Award for Young Artists (1989), the Minister of Culture and Art Award (1993), the Individual Award of the Centre for Artistic Education (1992, 1998).
Krzysztof Olczak is an accordion player performing solo and in chamber ensembles (in Classical Accordion Duo), giving concerts in Poland and abroad (in Austria, Finland, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Slovakia, and Italy). His compositions have been presented at numerous festivals of contemporary music, e.g. Musik Biennale in Berlin, Internationale Studienwoche in Bonn, Musica Polonica Nova in Wroc?aw, Pozna? Music Spring, the Warsaw Autumn, and others.
Web: http://www.polmic.pl/index.php?option=com_mwosoby&id=202&view=czlowiek&litera=17&Itemid=5&lang=en
(2013)