Andrzej Pikul facts for kids

Andrzej Pikul was born on June 7, 1954, in Krosno, Poland. He is a very talented Polish pianist.

His Life and Musical Journey

Early Studies and Training

Andrzej Pikul studied piano at two important music schools. He graduated from the Academy of Music in Kraków in Poland. There, he learned from a teacher named Tadeusz Żmudziński. Later, he continued his studies in Vienna, Austria, at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst. From 1981 to 1983, he was in the piano class of the famous musician Paul Badura-Skoda.

Learning from the Best

Mr. Pikul also attended special lessons called "masterclasses." These are like advanced workshops where famous musicians teach students. He learned from many great pianists, including Regina Smendzianka in Weimar, Alexander Jenner in Vienna, and Tamás Vásáry in Lenk and Asis. He also studied with Guido Agosti in Siena and Vlado Perlemuter in Paris.

His Music Recordings

Andrzej Pikul has recorded many musical pieces. His recordings include music by composers like Aleksander Tansman and Karol Szymanowski. He also recorded all the piano music written by Alberto Ginastera.

Teaching and Traveling the World

Mr. Pikul has traveled a lot to give lectures and masterclasses. He has taught students in many countries across Europe, America, and Asia. Some of the places he has visited include:

• Universidade de Brasilia in Brazil
• Universidad de La Serena in Chile
• Osaka College of Music and Kobe College in Japan
• Music schools in Germany, like the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig
• Universidade de Aveiro in Portugal

He was even made an honorary citizen of La Serena in Chile in 1994. He also received this honor in Iwonicz-Zdrój, Poland. In Iwonicz-Zdrój, he helped start the Prince Michał Kleofas Ogiński Festival.

Judging Piano Competitions

Andrzej Pikul has often been asked to be a judge at piano competitions. This means he helps decide which young pianists are the best. He has judged many important competitions, such as:

• The Concorso Internationale di Esecuzione Pianistica in Agropoli (1999)
• The Concours de Piano „Premi Principiat d’Andorra” (1999)
• The Maria Canals International Music Competition (many times between 2001 and 2014)
• The Osaka International Competition (2003, 2004)
• The Fourth Chinese Works Piano Competition in Hong Kong (2008)

His Role at the Academy of Music in Kraków

Since 1982, Mr. Pikul has taught at the Academy of Music in Kraków. He has held important leadership roles there. From 1996 to 1999, he was the Dean of the Instrumental Faculty. Then, from 1999 to 2002, he was the Vice-Rector for International Affairs. This role involved managing the school's connections with other countries.

In 2002 and 2003, he worked as a Visiting Professor at Kobe College in Japan. In 1999, he started the International Summer Academy of Music in Cracow. This is an annual event where famous musicians give masterclasses and concerts. In 2010, he became the chairman of the Piano Department at the Academy.

Discography

• Alberto Ginastera. The Complete Music for Piano. [2CD] Dux Recording Producers 2007.
• Aleksander Tansman, Karol Szymanowski. Orkiestra Symfoniczna Filharmonii Lubelskiej, Andrzej Pikul - piano, Piotr Wijatkowski - conductor, Ewa Wolak-Moszyńska - piano.