MOTION TRIO - an accordion trio founded in 1996 by Janusz Wojtarowicz - leader and author of most of the compositions. They are a phenomenon on the European and global music market. Janusz Wojtarowicz, Paweł Baranek and Marcin Gałażyn are world class accordionists. Using all the advantages of the accordion in their creations, they continually explore the new possibilities of this instrument, changing the way that it is perceived. Their concerts are musical performances that contain action and drama.
They have won many prestigious awards, including:
- Grand Prix at the IV Krzysztof Penderecki International Contemporary Chamber Music Competition in the year 2000 - Deutsche Shallplatten Kritik
- Grand Prix at the Polish Music Industry (“Pictures from the Street”)
- Best Polish Recording 2000
- Best Debut in the year 2000 in Poland (Jazzi Magazine)
- “Gus Viseur” in the category “Musical Discovery of the Year” in France (2005)
- "Cobalt Muse" – Award of the Foundation "Different Tones" (2009)
About the music of Motion Trio:
Joe Zawinul : “Your music is amazing”
Krzysztof Penderecki : “They are an exceptional accordion trio”
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG : “Trio plays masterfully with suggestive sounds (...)”
LIBERATION : “Those who thought that the accordion was old-fashioned and who were present at the Motion Trio concert had no alternative but to reconsider their earlier judgment (...)”
LE MONDE : “The Polish accordion trio ridicules all the habits and traditional ways to play the accordion; they bring the instrument into the future without any electronic effects (...)”
ALL ABOUT JAZZ : “You have never heard such accordion playing (...)"
MOTION TRIO works with :
Krzysztof Penderecki
- "Ciaccona" from Polish Requiem (in the version for three accordions)-world premiere in New York, Carnegie Hall in 2008 ,
- Oratorio "Seven gates of Jerusalem" part III "De profundis" (in the version for three accordions) - world premiere "Skirball Center" in Los Angeles 2007 .
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki
- "Three Works in the Old Style" (in the version for three accordions) - world premiere in New York, Carnegie Hall in 2008.
Wojciech Kilar
- "Orawa" (in the version for three accordions) - world premiere in New York Carnegie Hall in 2008.
Michael Nyman
- MGV "Musique a Grand Vitesse" (for three accordions) with Michael Nyman Band - world premiere "Barbican Centre" in London 2009.
and with : Bobby McFerrin, Krzesimir Dębski, Trilok Gurtu, Michał Urbaniak, Tomasz Stańko, Leszek Możdżer, WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln, Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg, Sinfoniett Riga, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Rio de Janeiro Orquestra do Teatro Municipal, Chamber Orchestra “Aukso”, Łódź Philharmonic Orchestra, Hanseatica Chamber Orchestra (Gdańsk), Ensemble “KONTRASTE” (Nürnberg).
The band has performed on six continents and in thirty three countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, China, Egypt, Estonia, France, Greece, Spain, Holland, Ireland, Iceland, Japan, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Germany, New Caledonia, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Hungary and Italy. MOTION TRIO plays on Pigini Sirius Millennium accordions - considered the best accordions in the world.
MOTION TRIO has recorded seven albums - “Cry” (1998), “Pictures” (2003), “Play-station” (2002, 2009 Reedition), “Live in Vienna Sacrum & Profanum (2004), “METROPOLIS” (2007) “Michael Nyman & Motion Trio” (2009) and “CHOPIN” Live at La Folle Journee (2010)
MOTION TRIO has participated in many festivals and music events:
- Oxford Contemporary Music (England)
- Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival (Hamburg) Germany
- Elbphilharmonie Concerts (Hamburg) Germany
- Fest Der Kontinente (Berlin) Germany
- La Folle Journee (Nantes, Tokyo, Warsaw)
- Festival d’Ile de France (Paris) France
- Musiques Metisses (Angouleme) France
- Reykjavik Arts Festival (Iceland)
- Montreal Jazz Fest (Canada)
- Quebec City Summer Festival (Canada)
- Solidarity of Arts (Gdańsk) Poland
- Musical Gardens (Warsaw) Poland
- Stresa Festival (Stresa e del Lago Maggiore) Italy
- Lowlands Festival (Leuvaarden) Netherlands
- Gaudeamus Festival (Amsterdam) Netherlands
- Migration Music Festival (Taipei) Taiwan
- Paleo Festival in (Nyon) Switzerland
- Alternativa Festival (Moscow) Russia
and many others ...
In recent years, Janusz Wojtarowicz along with Motion Trio conducted master classes at London’s Royal Academy of Music, at the University of Chicago and in the National Conservatory in Paris. In January 2008, the trio was enthusiastically received in New York’s Carnegie Hall, where the music of Krzysztof Penderecki, H.M. Gorecki, W. Kilar and their own was presented. The year 2008 ended with a concert in Vienna's Konzerthaus. The year 2009 held exciting collaboration with Michael Nyman. In April 2009 the first concert of “Michael Nyman Band and Motion Trio” was given at London’s Barbican Centre. The premiere musicians performed pieces like MGV “Musique a Grande Vitesse”, a song originally written for the Michael Nyman Band and Symphony Orchestra. In September 2009, the Baltic Philharmonic in Gdańsk held a premiere of Michael Nyman’s new work “The Beginning” (for the Motion Trio and the Michael Nyman Band). In September 2009, Motion Trio recorded a CD with Michael Nyman. On it were the composer’s most famous pieces arranged by Janusz Wojtarowicz. In the year 2010 the band opened concerts at the La Folle Journee du Nantes festival. They participated in the Japanese edition of that festival in Tokyo (“L'universe de Chopin”), and in Polish (“Chopin Open”) in Warsaw, performing at the inaugural concert next to Boris Berezovsky (piano), George Tchitchinadze (conductor) and Sinfonia Varsovia at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw. In October this year the ensemble performed at Michel Favory’s side in Comédie-Française - French National Theatre established in Paris by Moliere in 1680. In February 2011 they were awarded the badge - Honoris Gratia - in recognition of their contribution to Krakow and its inhabitants.
Motion on Motion:
"we are as passionate about heavy metal as we are about jazz or contemporary music"
"we feel just as good playing on the street as we do in a concert hall"
"it is our belief that music will do just fine without the Motion Trio; we, without music, on the other hand..."
Janusz Wojtarowicz - accordionist, composer, arranger, music producer, author of theatrical and film music, founder of the Motion Trio accordion ensemble and the Akordeonus publishing house, issuing the Motion Trio disks and accordion music scores. He begun accordion and piano lessons at the age of 7, as a student of his father Eugeniusz. Janusz Wojtarowicz is a graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin State Music Lyceum in Kraków. He studied accordion at the Academy of Music in Kraków and privately he studied piano under the tutelage of professor Andrzej Białko. As a soloist – accordionist he gained recognition at numerous accordion competitions. He is the author of music to various theatrical performances, among others those by: Jerzy Jarocki, Piotr Cieplak, Rafał Kmita, Remigiusz Brzyk and many others. He is the author of the majority of compositions played by the Motion Trio. He was the laureate of the Grand Prix (together with the Motion Trio) of the 4th Krzysztof Penderecki International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in 2000. He was the holder of the President of the City of Kraków Scholarship in 2001. He is the author of the “Jak pisać na akordeon” [How to compose for accordion] vademecum for music composers (AKORDEONUS 2007). He taught numerous master classes, among others at the: University of Chicago, Conservatoire de Paris, Royal Academy of Music in London. He arranged the music composed by Krzysztof Penderecki, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Wojciech Kilar, Paweł Szymański, Michael Nyman to the needs of the Motion Trio ensemble and performed those compositions, among others at the Carnegie Hall in New York, Skirball Center of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, Konzerthaus in Vienna, Barbican Center in London and many others. In 2009 won an award of the Different Tones „Cobalt Muse” for the outstanding musicians for their contribution into the development of art. In February, 2011 was awarded the - Honoris Gratia badge, in recognition of merits for Krakow and its citizens.
Paweł Baranek - begun his music education at the age of 10 as a student of the State Music School in Miechów, learning accordion under the tutelage of Mr. Wiesław Kusion, MA. He continued his music studies under Mr. Kusion tutelage in Ignacy Paderewski the State Music Lyceum in Tarnów. He was a student at the Academy of Music in Kraków, where he studied accordion under the tutelage of Mr. Janusz Pater, PhD, completing his tertiary education summa cum laude. He is the author of several compositions played by the Motion Trio ensemble. Paweł Baranek is the laureate of various national and international accordion competitions. Together with Motion Trio he was the laureate of the Grand Prix of the 4th Krzysztof Penderecki International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in 2000. He participated in master classes at various universities, among others at the University of Chicago, Conservatoire de Paris and Royal Academy of Music in London. He performed in 31 countries, playing in the most prestigious concert halls, among others in Carnegie Hall in New York, Skirball Center of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, Konzerthaus in Vienna, Barbican Center in London and many others. In 2009 won an award of the Different Tones „Cobalt Muse” for the outstanding musicians for their contribution into the development of art. In February, 2011 was awarded the - Honoris Gratia badge, in recognition of merits for Krakow and its citizens.
Marcin Gałażyn - begun his music education at the age of 7 as a student of the State Music School in Augustów, learning accordion under the tutelage of Mr. Eugeniusz Ajdamach, MA. He graduated from the Ignacy Paderewski State Music High School in Białystok. He was a student at the Academy of Music in Kraków, where he studied accordion. Ha is the laureate of numerous accordion, jazz and chamber music competitions. He is the co-founder of the “Que Passa” ensemble, with which he toured for 8 years playing improvised flamenco, latino and jazz music. Since 1999 Marcin Gałażyn is a member of Motion Trio. Marcin Gałżyn was the laureate of the Grand Prix of the 4th Krzysztof Penderecki International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in 2000. He participated in master classes at various universities, among others at the University of Chicago, Conservatoire de Paris and Royal Academy of Music in London. Together with Motion Trio he performed in 31 countries, playing in the most prestigious concert halls, among others in Carnegie Hall in New York, Skirball Center of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, Konzerthaus in Vienna, Barbican Center in London and many others. In 2009 won an award of the Different Tones „Cobalt Muse” for the outstanding musicians for their contribution into the development of art. In February, 2011 was awarded the - Honoris Gratia badge, in recognition of merits for Krakow and its citizens.
ABOUT US:
Krzysztof Penderecki
I have had an opportunity to listen to Motion Trio several times, both in Poland and abroad. This is exceptional accordion trio. The group led by Janusz Wojtarowicz, who is also the compozer of pieces by the trio plays also jazz, and promotes modern music. The activity of the group is worth supporting, not only becouse of its exceptional character, but also due to the high artistic lavel of its musicians.
Michael Nyman
Me and my group are impressed by the power of their music. Their tones are the very component that was missing in our work. Our cooperation with Motion Trio has been one of the most exciting projects I've ever taken part in
Joe Zawinul
" Your music is amazing!! "
Tomasz Stańko
(...) Those people play really well.I could have never got into it myself. The colour they create is unusual ! Besides, they do care about it, they know what matters, they are aware of their own sound, their own value,they have something in themselves that I like very much, and what they call being "street".They tell us about themselves that they are street musicians,that it,they have a great deal of dirt,but also knowledge,charisma,and passion;they own all the values that I appreciate so much...
