Winner of the 2nd place of the 9th edition of the competition from 2015 – thanks to “Spisak” she began her concert adventure. Joanna Liberadzka, a winner of the 2nd prize in the harp in the 9th edition of Michał Spisak International Music Competition in Dąbrowa Górnicza in 2015, Today’s soloist in “Staatsorchester Braunschweig” in Germany, recalls her participation in the competition and its impact on the career of a professional harpist.
How did your life change after the 9th Michal Spisak International Music Competition?
M. Spisak Competition was for me a great experience. Being a runner-up of the 9th edition, I had the pleasure of playing many concerts – such as the “Concert of young laureates of music competitions” organized by the SILESIA Music Promoting Institution in Katowice. In addition, I was privileged to receive an additional award from the Polish Harp Society – because I was the only prizewinner of this competition coming from Poland.
What did you achieve because of this competition?
I had the opportunity to prove myself that it is possible to participate in an international competition with such a demanding programme, enormous to master, despite working full time in the orchestra and studying.
What do you do as a musician today?
I have worked in the orchestra for several years – from the 2016/17 season I am a soloist harpist in “StaatsorchesterBraunschweig” and I cooperate with other orchestras in Poland, Germany and Spain. I also perform regularly as a soloist with orchestral accompaniment and on chamber music concerts.
Your greatest musical accomplishment to date?
All achievements are something special for me. I am honored to work in such a good orchestra, but also every solo concert is unique and important to me.
What is important in such a big competition as the Michal Spisak International Music Competition?
Music is the most important – there is no point thinking about mistakes. Taking part in the competition, I tried not to think that it was a competition or about my competitors. I treated all performances as a concert and enjoyed the music I played. I tried to prepare as well as possible and show the best part of me.
What is the hardest in playing the harp?
Definitely coordination of legs and hands in some songs can be difficult – even if everything is perfectly practiced, the pedal can fail in complicated moments :-). It is even more difficult if we have to play a strange instrument we do not know very well.
Do you have any specific memories related to the “Spisak” competition?
Of course, I have a lot of memories. The atmosphere of the competition was very nice and the international jury, composed of great musicians made me remember the competition as unique experience.
How would you encourage young musicians to take part in this competition?
Each contest we play is a good experience, the very preparation of such a great programme gives satisfaction and helps to develop. It is nice to play with the orchestra as a soloist in the final stage – it is a reward and a great joy due to the fact that I have come so far.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to continue to work as a soloist and play even more with chamber music ensembles in various interesting compositions. Cooperation with other orchestras, conductors in different countries and travels with the harp is my passion. Playing with an orchestra and teaching other musicians to play this great instrument is a great satisfaction and fulfillment for me.
