Katarzyna Polonek
Katarzyna Polonek Cello & Chamber music
Katarzyna Polonek is one of the most interesting musical personalities of her generation. She is a laureate of International Cello as well as Chamber Music Competitions in Liezen, Pörtschach, Poznań and Brno, including First Prize and Grand Prix at the 11th International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in Kraków, winner of the J. Haydn International Chamber Music Competition in Vienna.
She is an accomplished soloist, made recordings for Polish, German, Swiss, Austrian and Japanese Radio and Television. As a chamber musician she has participated in many renowned music festivals and performed in the most important European concert halls. Playing as a guest in the Berliner Philharmoniker or Staatskapelle Berlin orchestras, she collaborated with such conductors as Daniel Barenboim, Bernhard Haitink, Pierre Boulez, Michael Sanderling, Ivan Fischer and Sir Simon Rattle.
Katarzyna Polonek received her music education from i.a. Mstislav Rostropovich, Natalia Shakovskaya, Angelica May, Markus Nyikos, Wolfgang Aichinger, Wolfgang Boettcher, Zara Nelsova, Miloš Sádlo. Her artistic development was particularly influenced by collaboration with Daniel Barenboim at the Staatskapelle Berlin Orchestra Academy.
Katarzyna Polonek is the co-founder of the Berlin Piano Trio, which, after multiple international competition victories, is considered one of the leading piano trios.
After she has finished her doctoral dissertation and habilitation, Katarzyna teaches as a professor for cello at the Music Academy Poznań and leads masterclasses at the International Music Course in Opole. Her students go on to win first prizes at international solo and chamber music competitions.
www.berlinpianotrio.com