Cellist Barczyk to delight Jakartans
Cellist Barczyk to delight Jakartans
JAKARTA (JP): Hailed as one of the foremost cellists of her generation, Polish-born Cecylia Barczyk will be performing and teaching in Jakarta.
She won many awards during her formative years, including first prize in the D. Danczowski Polish Cello Competition, the Pablo Casals International Cello Competition in 1973 (Budapest), the Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1974 (Moscow), the A. Parisot International Cello Competition in 1978 (Brazil), the J.S. Bach International Cello Competition in 1980 (Leipzig) and the Gaspar Cassado International Cello Competition in Florence (1981).
Barczyk settled in the U.S. in 1981, and in the past ten years has been teaching music at Towson State University in Baltimore, Maryland. It is from this university that her accompanist, Ary Sutedja, graduated; hence, for both artists, the performances in Jakarta carry a special meaning as it is under the tutelage of Barczyk that Sutedja, a pianist who is no stranger to classical music devotees in Indonesia, achieved her knowledge of chamber music.
In addition to performing in Jakarta, Barczyk will also conduct master classes for cellists and chamber music groups. The master classes are of no less importance than the recitals, for Barczyk is also known for the talent-scouting she does whilst touring abroad. Through these efforts, young and talented cellists from Germany, Poland, China and other countries have been able to study in the U.S. It is this aspect that reveals Barczyk as a committed humanitarian, one who actively supported the Solidarity movement in Poland during the eighties, and who strongly believes that "an artist has a public and moral responsibility for the fate of humanity."
Her visit here was arranged by The Circle, a non-profit organization of Indonesians and expatriates whose sole intent is to foster all forms of arts and creative expressions. Barczyk will give two recitals: the first at The Stage restaurant on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 4.30 p.m., and the second at Erasmus Huis on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7.30 p.m. The master classes for cello and chamber music will also be held at Erasmus Huis on Friday, Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. onwards.
-- Gus Kairupan