Andrzej Czajkowski (1955)

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I - Largo non troppo

II - Theme and Variations

III - Allegro Agitato

Last Page

Sonata for Viola and Piano (1954-1955)
This webpage provides information about the André Tchaikowsky Sonata for Viola and Piano, 1954-1955.

(2019) Sonata for Viola and Piano / 46th Viola Congress, Poznan, Poland
The 46th International Viola Congress that took place in Poznan (Poland) from Sept. 24th – 28th, 2019 featured the Sonata for Viola and Piano on September 26, 2019. The performers were Krzysztof Chorzelski, viola, and Lech Napierala piano.

(2017) Sonata for Viola and Piano / VI Lubin International Festival
A performance of the Sonata for Viola and Piano was given on Sunday, October 1st, 2017, as part of the VI International Festival, September 16 to October 6, 2017 in Lublin, Poland. The performers were Krzysztof Chorzelski, viola, and Lech Napierala piano.

(2016) Sonata for Viola and Piano / Fryderyk Chopin Universtiy of Music
The Fryderyk Chopin Universtiy of Music in Warsaw presented a concert, "In the context of André Tchaikowsky" on March 23, 2016 that featured the Sonata for Viola and Piano. The performers were Krzysztof Chorzelski, viola, and Maciej Grzybowski, piano. The other André Tchaikowsky work on the program was the Seven Sonnets of Shakespeare. Click Here to learn more about this concert from the university website.

(2015) Sonata for Viola and Piano / Oxford, England
St. Hilda's College, Oxford, was the scene of a performance of the Sonata for Viola and Piano, which was performed at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building on October 30, 2015 The performers were Maciej Grzybowski pianist and Krzysztof Chorzelski violist.

(2015) Sonata for Viola and Piano / Heights Chamber Music Festival
The Sonata for Viola and Piano was performed on September 17, 2015 as part of the 7th “Music on the Heights” International Chamber Music Festival in Zakopane, Poland. Click Here for performance information; Click Here for festival information. Once again, the performers were Maciej Grzybowski pianist and Krzysztof Chorzelski violist.

(2015) Sonata for Viola and Piano / Chopin and his Europe Festival
The Sonata for Viola and Piano was selected for the 2015 Chopin and his Europe Music Festival, and was performed on August 17, 2015 with Maciej Grzybowski pianist and Krzysztof Chorzelski violist. This was the World Premiere performance of this sonata, composed nearly 60 years ago. See the links below for music samples, followed by images from the concert and festival program. Click Here for a news article.

Premiere I - Largo non troppo
Premiere II - Theme and Variations
Premiere III - Allegro Agitato

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From the biography The Other Tchaikowsky
Discovered in a box left behind in Poland by Andrzej Czajkowski in 1956, is this Sonata for Viola and Piano, dated 1954-1955. The work is in three movements:

I - Largo non troppo
II - Theme and Variations
III - Allegro Agitato

At the time in 1954-1955, Andrzej Czajkowski was a compositional student at the Warsaw Conservatory under professor Kazimierz Sikorski (piano studies were with professor Stanislaw Szpinalski). This particular time, 1954-1955, was a period of activity for the conservatory piano students because only a few would be "groomed" for the 1955 Chopin Competition and would be moved to a special camp in Lagow to prepare for the competition. Andrzej was selected, along with seven other students, including the eventual winner, Adam Harasiewicz.

But as a member of the Polish Composers' Union, it would not be surprising that somehow Andrzej found time to complete this composition, which may have been a graduation requirement as well. What is known is that Andrzej received a letter from the Polish Composers' Union on October 28, 1954 informing him that his composition "Prelude and Fugue" had won an award of 200 Zlotys and he was invited to play the work in a November 28, 1954 concert. As usual, he didn't discuss his composing activities with anyone. The concert was played, and Andrzej pocketed the money.