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