Gustav Mahler Preis > PreisträgerInnen 2017
Krzysztof Knittel
Prof. Krzysztof Knittel (b. 1947 in Warsaw) - studied sound engineering and composition at the Frederic Chopin State Higher School of Music in Warsaw. He has worked at the Experimental Studio of Polish Radio since 1973 and at the Center for the Creative and Performing Arts at State University of New York at Buffalo in 1978. He was teaching composition and computer music at music academies in Krakow and Lodz. Now he is working as professor at the Fryderyk Chopin Music University teaching composition, audiovisual composition and interactive improvisation.
He composes symphonic, chamber, stage, electro-acoustic and computer works that have been performed in most European countries, Asia, North and South Americas. He took part in art performances, built sound installations and played in improvised music groups. Concerts dedicated exclusively to his music were held in Barcelona, Brno, Budapest, Buffalo, Cracow, Kromeriz, Leipzig, Lviv, Moscow, New York City, Sao Paulo, Warsaw. Among his honors are the Solidarity Award in Music (1985), Polish Composers' Union Prize (2003), “Gloria Artis” Silver Medal (2005); he was also granted by the Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts in New York (1998). He served as director of the International Festival of Contemporary Music "Warsaw Autumn" (1995-98), president of the Polish Composers' Union (1999-2003), vicepresident of the Polish Music Council (since 2000) and president (since 2005). In 20032006 he was the member of the Supervisory Board of Polish public television. Founder and director of international Ad Libitum festival of improvised music since 2006.