Aleksandra Gryka (born 17 May 1977) is a Polish classical composer of experimental music. Her works have been performed at such festivals as the
Warsaw Autumn,
Sacrum Profanum and
Juilliard Focus! Festival.
Early life and education
Aleksandra Gryka was born on 17 May 1977, in Warsaw.[1][2] She started learning to play the piano at the age of six. In 2003, she graduated with honors in composition[2] under the supervision of
Krystyna Moszumańska-Nazar[1][2] and computer composition[3] under Magdalena Długosz[2][3] at the
Academy of Music in Kraków.[2][4] During her studies, she also took composition courses in Kraków, Helsinki,
Buckow[2] and Reichenau.[3][4]
Career
Her work is characterized as uncompromising[1][3] and experimental.[1] Although the structure of her works stems from
modernist traditions, what is most important to her is originality[1] and timbre.[3] Gryka writes pieces for instruments, although she also explores electronic music.[3] She draws inspiration from various sources, including the works of
Iannis Xenakis,
Frédéric Chopin and
Gérard Grisey.[3] She feels drawn to
spectralism[3] and
sonorism.[4]
Gryka's compositions have been performed, among others, in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and the United States.[2] Her works could be heard at such festivals, as the
Warsaw Autumn (2003: world premiere of Interialcell[1]),
Sacrum Profanum[2] and
Juilliard Focus! Festival.[5] Gryka's work has appeared in the repertoire of, among others, an_ARCHE new music ensemble and
Kwadrofonik.[2] In 2005, she started composing music for theater performances.[2] In 2006,[4] the futuristic ballet Alpha Kryonia xe by choreographer Jacek Przybyłowicz[6] was staged at the
Grand Theatre in Warsaw, to which Gryka composed music.[4] The piece was inspired by the works of
Stanisław Lem.[4]
Works
For D. for piano solo, 1999
LIEN-AL for cello, harpsichord and accordion, 2000
High3bbingNor. for symphony orchestra, 2000
Interioryzacion for computer, 2000
OXYGEN nr.369,1 for tape and piano, 2001
NonStopping center for harpsichord solo, 2001
(1”)exists as…(-1”) for flute, accordion, piano, 3 percussions and cello, 2001
Project ien for tape, video and dancer, 2002
JaIchIJe for string quartet and marimba, 2002
Interialcell for instrumental ensemble, 2003
Alpha Kryonia XE ballet, 2003
eSU for tape and video elements, 2004
konstrunity 0100 for 12 voices, 2004
Tii for soprano and instrumental ensemble from opera saga Komander Kobayashi, 2004–2005
ambeoidal MTOCSs for clarinet, marimba, piano, violin, tape and video, 2005
NTvacou for contrabass recorder, harpsichord, violin and cello, 2006
SCREAM YOU, opera from the Kommander Kobayashi II project, 2006
Youmec for harpsichord and tape, 2006
{FFO.NO.}e for cello, 2007
BAe 146 OY-CRG.Sylar for instrumental ensemble, 2007
NEI for violin, tape and video, 2008
SCREEM QUEEN opera, developed in collaboration with NOVOFLOT, 2008
t.Aamiper for orchestra, trumpet solo and electronics, 2009
The LighetM for string quartet, 2009
Erschöpfung opera, developed in collaboration with NOVOFLOT, 2010
Glück opera, developed in collaboration with NOVOFLOT, 2011
einerjedeneither for orchestra, 2011
observerobserver for Paetzold flute, double-bass flute and video, 2012
10,12,13,-31 for string quartet, 2012
das Schloss opera, developed in collaboration with NOVOFLOT, 2013
Der Sieg Uber die Sonne opera, developed in collaboration with NOVOFLOT, 2013
A.CELLfalserator for 2 pianos, 2013
W.ALTER’s(Z) for mezzo-soprano, 2 pianos, 2 percussionists and electronics, 2014
|H_He| for choir, multipercussion and electronics, 2014
mutedisorder quartet for clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, piano and percussion instruments, 2015