Biografie
Wojciech Chalupka is one of the most promising and awarded polish composers and saxophonists of young generation. As the young artist he has been a prize winner of 60 different competitions.
His piece The Ancient Night for saxophone, accordion and symphony orchestra was premiered in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein Wien by Duo Aliada and Wiener Jeunesse Orchester in April 2022. As a soloist, he premiered his piece Le Grand Bal for alto saxophone and symphony orchestra in June 2023 with the National Philharmonic Orchestra in Warsaw.
His pieces have been performed in such venues as Salle Cortot in Paris, Concert hall of the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio of the Polish Radio in Warsaw, chamber hall of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice, David Josefowitz Recital Hall in London and in Germany, Canada, France, Thailand, Spain, Switzerland, Croatia and Lithuania. His music has been performed at festivals such as the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, the Musical Spaces Festival and the ALKAGRAN Autumn Music Festival.
In his works, he often touches on spirituality and religiosity. He also seek inspiration in art, as well as nature – he loves the mountains, especially the Tatras.
As a composer he is a laureate of 1st prize at the PATRI PATRIAE International Composers' Competition for Lamentatio for chamber orchestra, 2nd prize at the International Gustaw Mahler Composition Prize for Eris for saxophone quartet, 1st prize at the 61st Tadeusz Baird National Competition for Young Composer for Nemesis for saxophone quartet and 2nd prize and Audience Award at the 4th Krzysztof Penderecki International Composition Competition ARBORETUM for Reminiscences from the Other World for string orchestra.
For his outstanding achievements he was awarded the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Scholarship in 2021, 2019, 2018 and 2016.
He became a scholarship holder of ’Lyra Stiftung’, ’Eppur si muove Stiftung’, ’the Young Poland 2018’ programme, Scholarship John Paul II of the Capital City of Warsaw, foundation ’Communication without Barriers’ and the ‘Work of the New Millennium’ Foundation.
Empusa for alto saxophone by Wojciech Chalupka was published by Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne. Metanoia for flute and piano took part in the project The Virtual Collaborative Series organised by the International Society for Contemporary Music and was one of four pieces representing Polish music.
In July 2022, the composer co-organised and curated the photography exhibition 'Cialosc' which was accompanied by his music installation. This project showed various aspects of the body and human relations with the body. The exhibition took place at the premises of the John Paul II Centre for Thought at 11 Foksal Street in Warsaw.
He perfected his craft under the supervision of composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki, Peteris Vasks, Bernhard Lang, Katharina Rosenberger Elzbieta Sikora and Marta Ptaszynska.
As a saxophonist is a member of the Nemesis Saxophone Quartet, Warsaw Saxophone Orchestra and Fratres Duo. As a soloist he has performed with the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra, Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Prince's Salon Orchestra of the Ksiaz Castle.