Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil facts for kids
Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil (born July 16, 1947) is a talented Polish composer and music teacher. She has created many different kinds of music, from pieces for orchestras to ballets for children. Her music has been performed all over the world.
Her Life and Education
Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil was born in Wrocław, Poland. She loved music from a young age. She studied how to compose music at the State School of Music in Wrocław. Her teachers there included Stefan Bolesław Poradowski and Tadeusz Natanson.
Later, she continued her studies in France. There, she learned from famous composers like Pierre Boulez and Olivier Messiaen. She also took special courses in Paris and studied the music of Iannis Xenakis.
After finishing her studies, Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil started teaching in 1971 at the State School of Music in Wrocław. She became a full professor in 1993. She even became the head of the Composition and Music Theory department. From 1998, she also taught at the Poznan Academy of Music. Her musical works have been played in many countries around the world.
Awards and Recognitions
Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil has received many awards for her amazing music. Some of these include:
- The Tadeusz Baird Young Competition of the Polish Composers' Union in 1968 and 1973.
- The Grzegorz Fitelberg Competition in 1972.
- An International Competition for Women Composers in Mannheim in 1975.
- Third place at the UNESCO International Composers' Tribune in Paris in 1987.
- The Wrocław City Award.
- The Chairman of the Council of Ministers Award in 1997 for her work for children and teenagers.
- The Brother Albert Award in 1998.
Her Musical Works
Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil has composed a wide variety of musical pieces. Here are some examples of her works:
- Trio-sonata (1967): This piece is for three instruments: violin, cello, and piano.
- Concerto grosso (1970–71): A concerto is a piece of music where one or more solo instruments play with an orchestra. This one features a clarinet, horn, and piano with an orchestra.
- Fresco I (1972): This was her first "Fresco" piece, written for a large symphony orchestra. She later wrote several more "Fresco" pieces.
- Nocturne (1973): A nocturne is a musical piece inspired by the night. This one is for cello and a "prepared piano," which means the piano's sound is changed by placing objects on or between its strings.
- Alphabet (1973): This piece is for a mixed choir (singers) and other instruments.
- Fresco III - Icarus (1979): Another "Fresco" piece for a symphony orchestra, possibly inspired by the Greek myth of Icarus.
- Papież Słowiański (1979): This is a cantata, which is a vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment. It features a soprano, baritone, narrator, choir, and orchestra.
- In the realm of autumn leaves (1989): This is a ballet specifically created for children, showing her dedication to young audiences.
- Le soleil (1991): A concert piece for percussion instruments and an orchestra.
- El Condor (Spring) (1996): A concerto for two marimbas (a type of xylophone) and a smaller orchestra. This is part of a series of pieces inspired by the seasons.
- Algorithm dream of a big city (2001): A solo piece for the marimba.
