Marcin Bortnowski

Born in 1972 in šary (Silesia, Poland), he studied composition with Gra›yna PstrokoYska-Nawratil at the Music Academy in Wroc1aw (diploma with distinction in 1997). He took part in the 2nd International Meetings of Young Composers in Apeldoorn, Holland, organized by the Gaudeamus Foundation (1996) and the experimental and computer music workshops at the University of Ghent (1997).
His honours include accolades at the Tadeusz Baird Competition for Young Composers (Second Prize for String Quartet No. 2 and a special prize for String Quartet No. 1 in 1995 and Second Prize for Music forŠ in 1997), the National Composers1 Competition OGdaYsk 19971 (Third Prize for Symphony No. 1) and at the OPan Accordion 20001 International Competition for Composers (First Prize for Music in Lent).
He works as an assistant in the Department of Composition, Conducting, Theory of Music and Musicotherapy of the Music Academy in Wroc1aw. He is also secretary of the Wroc1aw Branch of the Polish Composers1 Union.

Selected works: Epitaph in Tribute to Andrzej Krzanowski for solo accordion (1991), String Quartet No. 1 (1994), Agnus Dei for mezzo-soprano, choir and symphony orchestra (1995), String Quartet No. 2 (1995), Concerto for Accordion and Chamber Orchestra (1996), Music in Autumn for chamber orchestra (1996), Symphony No. 1 (1997), Music forŠ for two percussions and two accordions (1997), Symphony No. 2 (1999), Music in Lent for accordion and string quartet (2000), White Angels for 13 string instruments (2001), Pieces of Light for accordion, harpsichord and computer (2003).

Pieces of Light for accordion, harpsichord and computer was written at the beginning of 2003. The computer is not an instrument in the traditional sense. Its aim is to transform the accordion and harpsichord parts. My intention was not to change the timbre of these instruments but to expand their technical possibilities. In order to achieve this I have written a special computer programme which allows to introduce changes in real time.
Marcin Bortnowski