Daniel Stabrawa

A graduate of the Academy of Music in Cracow (in Professor Zbigniew Szlezer's violin class), winner of international music competitions (including the Nicolo Paganini Competition in Genoa),

he began his musical career as concertmaster of the Polish Radio and Television Orchestra in Cracow. In 1983, he became a member of the famous Berlin Philharmonic, where he was first concertmaster and soloist for 35 years.

He played with them Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1, Kurt Weill's Violin Concerto No. 3, Jenő Hubay's Violin Concerto No. 3, Rudi Stephan's Music for Violin and Orchestra, Andrzej Panufnik's Violin Concerto, and the sensationally received - and first performed at the Berlin Philharmonic in June 1994, under the baton of Mariss Jansons - Karol Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No. 1.

Performing in some of Europe's largest concert halls, the artist has repeatedly led the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra from the conductor's desk, and performed Johann Sebastian Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor with Nigel Kennedy as soloist. The artists also recorded Bach's violin concertos together for the EMI record company, and the album turned out to be one of the highest-rated recordings of the Bach Year.

Daniel Stabrawa was also the pioneer of the Philharmonia Quartet Berlin string quartet, which has gained international recognition and renown at a rapid pace, performing in the most prestigious concert halls - from Japan to the United States. Critics rank it among the world's elite of such ensembles, and American reviewer even wrote that it sets the world's artistic standard for quartets. The ensemble has recorded many albums, the best of which have been awarded prizes, including the prestigious German critics' Echo Klassik award twice.

Daniel Stabrawa performs regularly as a soloist - with various orchestras, from Scandinavia to South America, as well as in recitals - in the world's leading music venues. He also serves on the jury of many international violin competitions.

He has also been active as a conductor for 20 years. Among other things, he was conductor-in-chief of the Capella Bydgostiensis chamber orchestra, with which he gave concerts in Switzerland, among other places, and recorded several albums (for CD Accord and Cavalli-Records).