Mikołaj Majkusiak
A graduate of composition (with honours) and accordion at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Multiple scholarship holder of the Ministry of Culture and Art. Since 2020, lecturer at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in the Faculty of Composition.
Best composer of the young generation at the Fryderyk 2020 Festival – Special Award of ZAiKS – ”…for his original, individually created musical style, for the fascinating energeticism of sound narration and consistency in creative work”.
Winner of composition competitions in Warsaw and Legnica (2001) and several accordion competitions (Klingenthal – Germany 2000, Sanok – Poland 1998, Castelfidardo – Italy 1996).
His works have been presented in most European countries, China, Japan, Canada, Russia, the United States, during the festivals: Klara Festival Brussels, Wratislavia Cantans, Musica Polonica Nova, Ljubljana Festival, Latvian New Music Days, Festival of Polish Music in Krakow, Music Masters on Air, Warsaw Autumn, Festival of First Performances in Katowice, Sinfonia Varsovia Swojemu Miastu, as well as at the Baltic Opera, the Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra and following Philharmonics orchestras: National, Baltic, Częstochowa, Lower Silesia, Kalisz, Lublin, Łódź, Łomża, Opole, Sudeten, Szczecin, Silesian, Świętokrzyska, Varmian-Masurian.
His orchestral compositions have received numerous performances, including: ”Chamber Symphony” for 7 magic instruments and string orchestra (USA, Chicago, Copernicus Center), ”Bbrass Concerto” for ensemble of brass instruments, percussion and symphony orchestra (Sinfonia Varsovia), ”Road to the Unknown” for female voice, violin, DJ and string orchestra (AUKSO Orchestra), ”FisConcerto” for accordion duet and orchestra (National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Polish Radio Orchestra), ”Symphony of Sailors” for large symphony orchestra and male choir (Warmia-Mazury Philharmonic Orchestra), ”Concerto in Es” for saxophone and symphony orchestra (Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra in Katowice), ”Concerto in C” for flute, piano and symphony orchestra (Świętokrzyska Philharmonic in Kielce), ”Concerto in F” for guitar and string orchestra (Amadeus Chamber Orchestra).
He collaborates with artists from the most diverse musical backgrounds. He has created over 600 original orchestrations, which have been performed by, among others, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chilly Gonzales, Cornelius Meister and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jules Buckley and the Metropole Orchestra, Nicolas Krauze and the Orchestre de Chambre Nouvelle Europe, Marek Moś and the AUKSO orchestra.
So far, he has one solo album entitled ”Road to the Unknown”, released by Polskie Radio (2007). It was recorded with the participation of Urszula Dudziak, Jakub Jakowicz, Cezary Konrad and Wojciech Pilichowski, among others. In addition, his works have been released on over 40 music albums by such labels as NAXOS, DUX, Polskie Radio, EMI, Requiem Records, MTJ, CD Accord.
photo: Anna Powierża