From Maja Nosowka (F. Chopin University of Music, Warsaw). Summer Courses in Warsaw in August for different instruments, vocal and piano chamber music as well as composition and jazz improvisation.

"The main reason why we decided to hold this Competition would be our attempt to affirm the importance of the concept of PARTNERSHIP as the foundation of the human's success, his creativity, social and professional attitude (...) As the smallest music partner group is a duet - beyond strictly professional terminology – the essence of the musical duo is no different  from that which connects two people who want to work together in life  and society (...)"

These words, of the artistic director Professor Maja Nosowska and the chairman of the jury Professor Jerzy Marchwinski, welcomed participants of the First Competition for Duos with Piano, which took place in Fryderyk Chopin Music University Warsaw (Poland) at the first week of February. 57 duos came from all seven Polish Music Academies, and there were also some students from high schools and young graduate artists. The contest included all kinds of categories: piano-violin, piano-cello, piano-voice, piano-clarinet or more rare combinations like piano-double bass, piano-trombone, piano-trumpet, piano-sax or piano-accordion.

The Jubilee of Prof. Anna Prabucka-Firlej took place on the 7th May 2011 in the Academy of Music in Gdańsk. This event was celebrating the 40th anniversary of the pedagogical work and 50th anniversary of the concert activity of Prof. Prabucka-Firlej.

The ceremony consisted of three parts:

• In the first part Prof. Anna Prabucka-Firlej performed Joseph Haydn's Piano Concerto in D major with an orchestra consisted of pupils, students and friends, conducted by Robert Kwiatkowski. The concert was the repetition of a concert that was a debut of Prof. Anna Prabucka-Firlej 50 years ago.
• The second ‘official’ part included speeches and acknowledgements
• The third part was a chamber music concert performed by the Jubilarian and her assistants in the field of chamber music.

The program of this part was as follows:

Franz Schubert - Trio in E-flat major Op.100 (mov. 3 and 4)
Anna Prabucka-Firlej - piano, Paweł Kukliński - violin, Tadeusz Samerek - cello

Krzysztof Penderecki - 2nd Violin Sonata (mov. 4 and 5)
Robert Kwiatkowski – violin, Anna Prabucka-Firlej – piano

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Andante with Variations in G major K.V. 501 (for one piano four-hands)
Witold Lutosławski – Variations on the theme by Paganini for two pianos
Anna Prabucka-Firlej – piano, Mirosława Lachowska – piano

The ceremony was accompanied by an exhibition prepared by the Main Library of the Academy of Music in Gdansk, which presented the achievements of the Jubilarian.

• Concert program
• ECMTA Chairman Evan Rothstein's proclamation

The 6th edition of the International Johannes Brahms Chamber Music Competition will be held in Gdansk, 18-22 April 2012. It is organized by the Academy of Music in Gdańsk and the Chamber Music Faculty every 3 years. The initiator of this event is the Chair of the Chamber Music Faculty, Prof. Anna Prabucka - Firlej.

The competition is open to musicians born after April 18, 1982.

There are 3 categories of chamber music ensembles:

• Category A: TRIO  violin – cello – piano
• Category B: TRIO  clarinet – cello – piano
• Category C: QUARTET  violin – viola – cello – piano.

• Regulations
• Application form

More information is available on the website: www.brahms-competition.amuz.gda.pl
or at the following e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.