prof. UWM Leszek Szarzyński

LESZEK SZARZYŃSKI is the graduate of the Music Academy in Kraków, where he studied flute with Barbara Świątek-Żelazny, gaining a diploma in 1977. In 1976-1979 he was Principal Flute of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Olsztyn, and in the 1979-1980 season of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Szczecin. In 1981-1984 he worked in Egypt as Principal Flute of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra and a member of faculty of the city's Conservatory. While in Cairo, he founded the Pro Musica chamber ensemble, which brought together musicians from various countries. Back in Poland, he founded an ensemble of the same name in Olsztyn, with which he made numerous recordings for radio and television and performed extensively in Poland and abroad from 1985 to 1992. In 1985-1997 he was 1st flutenist of the Olsztyn Philharmonic, where he later took the position of artistic director (1997-1999) and director (1999/2000).

In 1992 Leszek Szarzyński founded the chamber ensemble Pro Musica Antiqua, which in 2006 received a special award from the Ministry of Culture for their merits for the Polish culture, in 2007 also the Governor of the Warmia and Mazury Province "Best of the Best" Award, for their services to culture and the promotion of the Warmia and Mazury region. 2011 he was awarded with Bronze Medal "For Merits of Culture - Gloria Artis".

He has served as artistic director of the summer concerts in Olsztyn since 1993 and of the organ and chamber concerts in Giżycko since 1996. Since 1996 he coorganises cyclic concerts "Cavata on Olsztyn Castle". In 2000-2002 he worked as director of the Flute Academy in Ełk. He has held the post of artistic director of the Mazurian Festival of Arts, Cultures and Nations in Olsztyn and of the town's special representative for culture and education. Since 2001. In 2003-2004 he was an artistic advisor of the Governor of the Warmia and Mazury Province.

Since 1999 he is a Professor at the Music Department of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in many countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden) and has worked closely with numerous Polish symphony orchestras. He has recorded several archival recordings and CDs. His distinctions include the Atut '94 Award of the Olsztyn authorities for outstanding achievements and the Golden Record from Dux Recording Producers. Within the framework of the project 'European Music in Historical Sites of Warmia and Mazury' in 1995-2011 he recorded six CDs with Pro Musica Antiqua featuring Baroque sonatas by German, Italian, French and English composers, as well as early and contemporary Polish music. A CD with music of various periods related to the theme of nature was released in 2005 as part of the project 'European Music in the Nature of Warmia and Mazury'. Leszek Szarzyński's discography also includes a solo CD with contemporary Polish music, recorded with the Warsaw Chamber Orchestra in 2001 in the National Philharmonic Hall. Leszek Szarzyński plays Pearl Handmade Flute, 14 K Gold Body, Maesta 9840RBE model. Since 2002 he is artistic representative for this company.