Andrzej Krzanowski
(1951–1990) –Polish composer, accordionist and pedagogue, one of the most important figures in the history of Polish accordion music. He studied composition under Henryk Mikołaj Górecki at the State Higher School of Music in Katowice (1971–1975), graduating with distinction, and refined his accordion playing under the guidance of Joachim Pichura. He made his compositional debut at the Young Musicians for the Young City Festival in Stalowa Wola and at the Baranów Sandomierski Music Meetings, quickly drawing the attention of the musical community.
His extensive output includes the cycle of six Audycje (Broadcasts), string quartets, the cycle of nine Reliefs, Salve Regina, the cycle of five Studies, two symphonies, and Wiatr echo niesie po polanie (The Wind Carries an Echo Across the Meadow). More than half of Krzanowski's body of work, however, consists of accordion compositions – he essentially rediscovered the instrument, drawing from it previously unknown timbres, articulatory possibilities, and means of musical narrative.
His music was honoured many times at composition competitions, earning him over a dozen prizes and distinctions, and in 1985 he received the Prime Minister's Award for works for children and young people. He was also awarded two prestigious scholarships: the Witold Lutosławski Scholarship (1986) and the Scottish Arts Council Scholarship (1988).
The Alkagran Accordion Festival and Competition in Czechowice-Dziedzice – the town to which he was connected throughout his life – is dedicated to his work and memory.
