Kwadrofonik

The Kwadrofonik was founded in 2006 as a result of two duets fusion: the percussion and the piano one. Magdalena Kordylasinska and Milosz Pekala (Hob-beats Duo) and Emilia Sitarz and Bartlomiej Wasik (Lutoslawski Piano Duo) form the only quartet of this kind in Poland and one of few in the world. They play the music of the 20th and 21st century, including such works as Sonata for two pianos and percussion by Bela Bartók, Makrokosmos III by George Crumb, pieces composed especially for the quartet as well as those which result from the whole group’s work.
Ensemble made numerous premieres of young polish composer's works such as W. Z. Zych Róznia and they played recitals during the most important festivals of new music in Poland, for example Warsaw Autumn, Portraits of Composers, Musica Polonica Nova.
The Kwadrofonik consists of artists who create an extraordinary musical dialogue between pianos and percussion instruments, almost imperceptibly changing functions of the instruments – pianos become percussion instruments whereas groups of percussion instruments take over the functions of the melodic ones. Precision of interpretation, impetuousness, the gift of establishing direct contact with the audience guarantee full satisfaction for the participants of the sound performances created by the quartet. While working on their pieces the musicians often chose improvisation and sound experiments aimed at maximizing the possibilities of two pianos and percussion.
The quartet’s project – own studies of folk songs – was enthusiastically received at the 9th Nowa Tradycja (New Tradition) Folk Music Festival at which the musicians were awarded Grand Prix, the Mayor of the City of Warsaw award and “Storm of Applause” – the audience’s award. Critics found the quartet innovative and blazing a trail in folk music.
In 2007 the Kwadrofonik became the winner of the prestigious Special Award at the 3rd Competition of EBU European Broadcasting Union “Svetozar Stracina” in Bratislava. The award for modernity, innovation and faithfulness to tradition was given for the first time in history.
In May 2007 the quartet’s works were presented at the “Late Junction” programme on BBC Radio 3
The world-wide premiere of the Stravinsky's Rite of Spring's and „Harnasie” by Szymanowski - version for two pianos and percussions took place on 2008.
Their first album FOLKLOVE produced in 2008 by Polish Radio was very well
reviewed. They have won the most important prize - „Folk Album of the year”
In 2010 kwadrofonik has debut concert in Carnegie Hall/ New York, Chicago Philharmonie/Chicago and Madison University and in May 2011 they had their debut in Berlin Philharmonie where they presented Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and their own music from Folklove cd. They also gave recitals in Brasil, Israel, United States, Russia, China and Japan.
The Kwadrofonik has been appreciated by the audience not only for the high level of performance, but also for surprising ideas of using percussions and pianos. It is worth mentioning that the vivid way of using even several dozen instruments makes their concerts really exciting performances.