Regina Gowarzewska speaks with Prof. Joachim Pichura, Jury Chairman at the 3rd Michał Spisak International Music Competition.

RG.Young musicians from Poland and abroad arrived in Dąbrowa Górnicza. How do you assess the general level of participants?

prof. Joachim Pichura.  I am nicely surprised. The level, particularly of the flute section, but not only, is very high. Really good young musicians came to the competition. I haven’t listened to a single person who would not fit. Such a balanced level rarely occurs. It was, first of all, due to a highly demanding repertoire, which at the beginning put off and eliminated the poor.

RG. Is it because of the high level that the jury admitted 17 flutists to the 2nd round, and not 10 or 11 participants in an exceptional situation, as it was provided in the rules of the competition?

prof. Joachim Pichura. It was very difficult to eliminate every one of them. They had to get a chance of wider presentation so that the jurors could know their artistic values. As a matter of fact, being admitted to the 2nd round is already a kind of anhonour. One receives a semi-finalist diploma. It is some success.

RG. Two new pieces have been composed by Zdzisław Szostak for the purpose of this year Competition. For the flutists – “Scherzo e Tarantella”, and for the saxophonists – „Muzyka w spokojnych tanecznych rytmach”. Why wasn’t a piece for accordion composed?

prof. Joachim Pichura. The flute and saxophone pieces were released around May and for these two specialties there was enough time to practise the new composition by the performers. The accordion is a very specific instrument and playing it is very complicated. It wasn’t technically possible for the musicians to receive a new composition early enough. Therefore, another obligatory piece in the 2nd round. We decided to choose Andrzej Tuchnowski’s piece „Te lucis ante terminum”, very interesting, but rarely performed in Poland. Young accordionists more eagerly choose striking pieces. This one requires depth and maturity in the creation of atmosphere.

RG. What does participation in the Competition offer to young musicians?

prof. Joachim Pichura. Every application for the Competition mobilizes a young musician to work. It increases his interest in improvement of technical and musical abilities almost in a „drastic” way. Besides, stage performance of the best leads to concert offers. This is extremely valuable.

RG. During the Competition, you, accordionist, also assess musicians of other specialties. What do you expect to find in a young performer?

prof. Joachim Pichura. I am interested in whether he has something to say in music or he just pushes the buttons. How he shapes the form of a piece, its phrase. What he can do with emotions included in the notes. After all, the same piece can be performed in many different ways. I often do not even pay attention to some slight errors, but what comes out of the instrument must have an impact on me. I am looking for an interesting personality.

RG. Have you found one in Dąbrowa Górnicza?

prof. Joachim Pichura. Yes. Many very mature musicians. If they follow the same route, they will be excellent artists.

RG. Thank you for the conversation.