Bio
Arkadiusz Kątny, PhD (b. 1990) is a composer, music producer and performer currently living and working in Wrocław, Poland.
He graduated in composition (Diploma with Distinction) with Professor Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil at the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław. In 2021 he obtained a PhD degree in musical arts. Kątny made his debut as a composer at the 7th Student Music Forum Competition for Composers (Warsaw, 2006), winning the Jury, Audience and Performers Awards. A year later, he signed his first professional contract with the Norwegian publisher Norsk Musikforlag A/S. Since then, his works have been performed in many countries in Europe, Asia and the USA.
The winner and finalist of composing and marimba competitions in Poland, Bulgaria, Spain and the USA. Laureate of honorary awards and scholarships, including the ones awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Rector of the Academy of Music in Wrocław, and Mayor of Wrocław. As a performer he played marimba and electronic instruments at many European countries and in the USA. Arkadiusz works in his own composition and music production studio. He compose solo, chamber, orchestral, theatre and electroacoustic music.
EDUCATION
2021 – The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław (PhD degree in musical arts)
2016 Graduated from The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław (Composition, MA, Diploma with Distinction)
2013 Graduated from The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław (Composition, BA, Diploma with Distinction)
2012 Graduated from The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław (Percussion, BA)
2009 Graduated from The Krzysztof Komeda-Trzciński School of Music in Ostrów Wielkopolski (Composition, falcutatively. Percussion, Diploma with Distinction)
PRIZES
2015 Honorable mention in National Composition Contest „…kiedy myślę Berio…”, Wrocław, Poland
2015 Prize in [Muzyka_jest] Contest, Inauguration of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław, Poland
2014 2nd Prize in CREATON Competition, StArt Fest, The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, Poland
2013 3rd Prize in National Composition Contest „…kiedy myślę Messiaen…”, Wrocław, Poland
2012 The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music Laureate in Student’s Nobel Prize Contest, Lower Silesian Gala, University of Wrocław, Poland
2011 Special Prize awarded by Prof. Gabriela Szendzielorz-Jungiewicz in Open Henryk Mikołaj Górecki Composition Contest „Mikołajowe Granie”, Rydułtowy, Poland
2008 3rd Prize in CLASSICAL MARIMBA LEAGUE Marimba Artist Competition, USA
2007 1st Prize (in 5th group), Special IKMMA Prize „for the Best Marimba Performance” in V International PENDIM Competition for Percussion Instruments, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
2006 1st Prize, Performers Prize, Audiences Prize in VII UFM National Composition Contest, Warsaw, Poland
SCHOLARSHIPS
2022 The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Scholarship
2020 Mayor of Wrocław Artistic Scholarship
2020 The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Scholarship Kultura w sieci
2017 The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Scholarship
2014/2015 Ministry of Science and Higher Education Scholarship
2014/2015 Rector of the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław Scholarship
2013/2014 Mayor of Wrocław Artistic Scholarship
2013/2014 Rector of the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław Scholarship
2012/2013 Ministry of Science and Higher Education Scholarship
2009 Otwarta Filharmonia Agrafki Muzycznej Scholarship
2009 The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage – Młoda Polska Scholarship
2008 Zivkovic International Summer Academy for Marimba & Percussion YAMAHA Scholarship
2008 Zeltsman Marimba Festival, Marimba One Scholarship
2007 International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy Scholarship
2007 Otwarta Filharmonia Agrafki Muzycznej Scholarship
DISTINCTIONS
2008 Nomination, Honorary Title and Statuette of „Friend of Ostrów Poviat”, awarded by the Poviat Mayor of Ostrów Wielkopolski
2008 Cultural Personality, honorary title awarded by the Mayor of Ostrów Wielkopolski
2007 Cultural Personality, honorary title awarded by the Mayor of Ostrów Wielkopolski
2006 Young Artist, honorary title awarded by the Mayor of Ostrów Wielkopolski
FESTIVALS (concerts, guest appearances and performances – selection)
2017 IKMMA Composer – International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy, Arcata, California, USA (http://www.marimbasolo.com/en/akademie2017.php)
2016 Nasz Festiwal, Wrocław
2015 Inauguration of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław (audiosfera [Muzyka_jest] – Opening)
2015 Musica Electronica Nova, Wrocław
2015 Polsko-Niemiecka Fabryka Dźwięku, Wrocław
2014 Musica Polonica Nova, Wrocław
2014 International Students’ Scientific Conference The Sound Ambiguity, Wrocław
2014 International Marimba Competition, Bamberg
2014 64. Sesja Musica Moderna, Łódź
2014 XXI Festiwal Muzyki Kameralnej i Organowej w Trzebnicy
2013 Internationale Marimba Seminare und Events&Day of Percussion, Nurnberg
2013 SOLO Festiwal, Wrocław
2013 PASIC – PERCUSSIVE ARTS SOCIETY International Convention, Indianapolis, USA (Showcase Concert z Chain Marimba Trio)
2013 Nagoya International Marimba Festival, Japonia
2013 Rhythm Discovery Centre, Indianapolis, USA
2012 International Prix Annelie de Man, Den Bosch, Holandia
2012 Samobor Music Festival, IN THE SPOT, 5th Ivana Bilic Marimba Week, Chorwacja
2012 XII Międzynarodowe Forum Perkusji, Żagań
2012 Koncert Dyplomantów z Akademicką Orkiestrą Kameralną, Wrocław
2011 New Music Festival Trondheim, NTNU Institute of Music, Norwegia
2011 Chain Marimba Trio in Concert, Hiszpania
2010 Chain Marimba Trio in Concert, Hiszpania
2010 Nagoya International Marimba Festival, Japonia
2010 MARIMBA 2010, International Festival and Conference, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
2010 X Międzynarodowe Forum Perkusji, Żagań
2010 Katarzyna Myćka, Guest Artist Recital, State University of New York at Fredonia
2010 Marimba Festiva, Nurnberg
2008 Zeltsman Marimba Festival, Colburn School, Los Angeles, USA
2008 II Multi Art Festival, Kalisz
2008 Classical Marimba League, CML Champions Concert, University of North Carolina, Pembroke, USA
2007 VIII Crossdrumming Festival, Warszawa
2007 I NEXEduet Academy, Hiszpania
2006 Nasi Młodzi Wirtuozi, Orkiestra Symfoniczna Filharmonii Kaliskiej
2006 IV Międzynarodowy Festiwal Perkusyjny, Kraków
2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy (Wrocław, Wrocław, Frankfurt nad Menem, Norymberga, Luxembourg, Hannover)
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WORKS
2021
Circles
– The Imaginary Dream of Nicolaus Copernicus –
Concerto for Percussion and Mixed Choir (32-voices – SSSSSSSSAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTBBBBBBBB)
1. Caelum
2. Circles (attacca)
3. Mundus (attacca)
4. Misterium (attacca)
ca. 28’
(2021)
Circles was commissioned by Fabian Ziegler and the Zürcher Sing-Akademie
https://fabianziegler.ch/#home
http://www.sing-akademie.ch
https://www.florianhelgath.de
2020
WROPHONY (2020) – electroacoustic work (2.0)
The work was composed and produced within the scholarship of the Mayor of Wrocław
Digital release: https://arkadiuszkatny.fanlink.to/wrofonia
Color IV – Winter (2020) – for piano (educational work)
Color III – Autumn (2020) – for piano (educational work)
Color II – Summer (2020) – for piano (educational work)
Color I – Spring (2020) – for piano (educational work)
The Four Colors of The Year – for piano (educational work) | Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland Scholarship – Kultura w sieci
2018-2019
Symphony No. 3 (2020) – for orchestra
2017
Mosaic VI (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic V (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic IV (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic III (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic II (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic I (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic’s I–VI | Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland Scholarship

Shifts I -Invocation- (2017) – for marimba and organ
2016
Fireworks free fall III (2016) – for three marimbas
Fireworks free fall II (2016) – for three marimbas
Chain VI (c. 2014, r. 2016) – for two marimbas
Chain V (c. 2014, r. 2016) – for two marimbas
Chain IV (c. 2014, r. 2016) – for two marimbas
Blue Moon (2016) – electroacoustic
2015
Symphony No. 2 (2015) – for orchestra
Transient lights (2015) – for accordion and string quartet
Opening (2015) – electroacoustic (audiosfera NFM)
Blurred lines (2015) – for chamber ensemble and live electronics
Ambient Variations (2015) – electroacoustic
Loop. Up. (2015) – electroacoustic
2014
Distant resonances (2014) – for marimba solo
Disappearing whispers (2014) – for guitar and live electronics (amplified guitar or electric guitar)
2013
Fireworks free fall (2013) – for three marimbas
Symphony No. 1 (2013) – for string orchestra, harp and percussion
String quartet No. 1 (Hypnotic mosaic) (2013)
2012
ANNELIE (2012) – for harpsichord solo
2011
Autumn dance (Jesienny taniec) (2011) – for piano (educational work)
Particles of time (Drobiny czasu) (2011) – for two pianos
2010
Trio (2010) – for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Sonata (2010) – for cello solo
Mantra (2010) – for two vibraphones
2009
Chain III (2009) – for two marimbas
2008
Apocalypsis (2008) – for 12 voices choir a cappella
2007
Ypsilon (2007) – for marimba solo
Chain II (2007) – for two marimbas
2006
Chain I (2006) – for two marimbas
2005
Abmiram Sebiv Teniralc Cisum (2005) – for marimba, vibes, clarinet and string orchestra
Circles
– The Imaginary Dream of Nicolaus Copernicus –
Concerto for Percussion and Mixed Choir (32-voices – SSSSSSSSAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTBBBBBBBB)
1. Caelum
2. Circles (attacca)
3. Mundus (attacca)
4. Misterium (attacca)
ca. 28’
(2021)
Circles was commissioned by Fabian Ziegler and the Zürcher Sing-Akademie.
https://fabianziegler.ch/#home
http://www.sing-akademie.ch
https://www.florianhelgath.de
premiere:
Kirche auf der Egg Zürich | 5.02.2022, 19.30
Fabian Ziegler – percussion
Florian Helgath – conductor
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
program:
EDWARD RUSHTON: CHANSON DE ROLAND
ARKADIUSZ KĄTNY: CIRCLES
JOHN PSATHAS: REAL BAD NOW
trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0kT18TgMIQ
WROPHONY
electroacoustic work (2.0)
(2020) – 6′
The work was composed and produced within the scholarship of the Mayor of Wrocław
Digital release: https://arkadiuszkatny.fanlink.to/wrofonia
Color IV – Winter
for piano (educational work)
(2020) – ca. 6’45”
Color III – Autumn
for piano (educational work)
(2020) – ca. 5’30”
Color II – Summer
for piano (educational work)
(2020) – ca. 5′
Color I – Spring
for piano (educational work)
(2020) – ca. 5′
The Four Colors of The Year
for piano (educational work)
(2020) – ca. 22′
Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland Scholarship – Kultura w sieci
Symphony No. 3
for orchestra (3.3.3.(3rd doubling Bass Clarinet)3.(3rd doubling Contrabassoon) – 4.3.3(3rd – Bass Trombone).1. – Timp. 4perc. – 12.12.10.8.6)
(2018–2019) – 20′
Mosaic VI
for marimba and electroacoustic layers
(2017) – ca. 9’45”
Mosaic V
for marimba and electroacoustic layers
(2017) – ca. 8’14”
Mosaic IV
for marimba and electroacoustic layers
(2017) – ca. 8’30”
Mosaic III
for marimba and electroacoustic layers
(2017) – ca. 7’41”
Mosaic II
for marimba and electroacoustic layers
(2017) – ca. 8’35”
Mosaic I
for marimba and electroacoustic layers
(2017) – ca. 8’20”
Mosaic’s I-VI | Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland Scholarship

Shifts I
-Invocation-
for marimba and organ
(2017) – ca. 8’45”
premiere: Katarzyna Myćka – marimba, Felix Mende – organ, Stunde der Kirchenmusik „Magie im Spiel – Marimba & Orgel”, Stiftskirche Stuttgart (05.05.2017)
Fireworks free fall III
for three marimbas
(2016) – ca. 9’30”
premiere: Magdalena Myrczik, Happiness Yi, Jordan Yatckoske – marimbas
Composer portrait | VIII International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA (08.06.2017)
Fireworks free fall II
for three marimbas
(2016) – ca. 9′
premiere: Dennis Arce, Ip Cheng Xin, Fabian Ziegler – marimbas
Composer portrait | VIII International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA (08.06.2017)
Chain VI
for two marimbas
(c. 2014, r. 2016) – ca. 9’
Chain V
for two marimbas
(c. 2014, r. 2016) – ca. 6’
Chain IV
for two marimbas
(c. 2014, r. 2016) – ca. 6’
premiere: Abby Chan, Charlotte Hahn – marimbas
Composer portrait | VIII International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA (08.06.2017)
Blue Moon
electroacoustic (4.1)
(2016) – ca. 12’
premiere: Nasz Festiwal, The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław (20.06.2016)
Symphony No. 2
for orchestra (2.2.2.2. – 2.2.2.0. – 2perc. – 5.4.3.2.1)
(2015) – ca. 16’30”
Transient lights
for accordion and string quartet
(2015) – ca. 9’
Opening
electroacoustic (audiosfera NFM, stereo 2.0)
(2015) – ca. 3’
premiere: Inauguration of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław (4.09.2015)
Blurred lines
for chamber ensemble and live electronics (fl, ob, cl, vib, string quartet)
(2015) – ca. 14’
premiere: Ensemble Folkwang Modern, Polsko-Niemiecka Fabryka Dźwięku, Akademia Muzyczna im. Karola Lipińskiego we Wrocławiu (27.05.2015)
Ambient Variations
electroacoustic (2, 4, 8 or 16 channels + sub)
(2015) – ca. 8’
premiere: Musica Electronica Nova 2015 (24.05.2015)
Loop. Up.
electroacoustic (2, 4, 8 or 16 channels + sub)
(2015) – ca. 7’
premiere: Musica Electronica Nova 2015, Wrocław (24.04.2015)
Distant resonances
for marimba solo
(2014) – ca. 7’
premiere: Arkadiusz Kątny – marimba, Międzynarodowy Festiwal Muzyki Kameralnej i Organowej w Trzebnicy, 2014
Disappearing whispers
for guitar and live electronics (amplified guitar or electric guitar)
(2014) – ca. 7’
premiere: Wojciech Błażejczyk – electric guitar, Arkadiusz Kątny – electronics, Musica Polonica Nova 2014, Wrocław 2014
Fireworks free fall
for three marimbas
(2013) – ca. 6’
premiere: Shoko Sakai, Conrado Moya, Arkadiusz Kątny – marimbas, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Indianapolis, USA 2013
publisher: Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Symphony No. 1
for string orchestra, harp and percussion (2perc. – hp – 6.6.4.4.2)
(2013) – ca. 15’
String Quartet No. 1 (Hypnotic mosaic)
(2013) – ca. 10’
ANNELIE
for harpsichord solo
(2012) – ca. 9’
premiere: Aleksandra Szymańska – harpsichord, Final stage of the Harpsichord Competition, Prix Annelie De Man, Netherlands
Autumn dance (Jesienny taniec)
for piano (educational work)
(2011) – ca. 5’
premiere: prof. Gabriela Szendzielorz-Jungiewicz, Rydułtowskie Centrum Kultury „Feniks”
publisher: Rydułtowskie Centrum Kultury „Feniks”
Particles of time (Drobiny czasu)
for two pianos
(2011) – ca. 10’
Trio
for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
(2010) – ca. 7’
premiere: Justyna Stanek – oboe, Grzegorz Tobis – clarinet, Mateusz Słomiany – bassoon, Arkadiusz Katny’s music concert, The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, (21.04.2010)
Sonata
for cello solo
(2010) – ca. 16’
premiere: Anna Banaś – cello, Arkadiusz Katny’s music concert, The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, (21.04.2010)
Mantra
for two vibraphones
(2010) – ca. 20’
premiere: Shoko Sakai, Arkadiusz Kątny – vibraphones, Arkadiusz Katny’s music concert, The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, (21.04.2010)
publisher: Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Chain III
for two marimbas
(2009) – ca. 6’
premiere: Svet Stoyanov, Arkadiusz Kątny – marimbas, International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy, Frankfurt am Main, 2009
publisher: Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Apocalypsis
for 12 voices choir a cappella (SSSAAATTTBBB)
(2008) – ca. 12’
Ypsilon
for marimba solo
(2007) – ca. 5’
premiere: Arkadiusz Kątny – marimba, Zespół Szkół Muzycznych im.Krzysztofa Komedy-Trzcińskiego, Ostrów Wielkopolski, 2007
publisher: Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Chain II
for two marimbas
(2007) – ca. 12’
premiere: Jordi Frances, Sisco Aparici – marimbas, Nexe Duet Marimba Festival, Hiszpania 2007
publisher: Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Chain I
for two marimbas
(2006) – ca. 8’
premiere: Katarzyna Myćka, Shoko Sakai – marimbas, International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy 2007, Wrocław
publisher: Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Abmiram Sebiv Teniralc Cisum
for marimba, vibes, clarinet and string orchestra (1perc. – cl – 3.3.2.2.1)
(2005) – ca. 12’
premiere: Orkiestra Festiwalowa UFM, VII UFM National Composition Contest, Warsaw 2006
publisher: Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Works for orchestra
Symphony No. 3 (2018–2019) – for orchestra
Symphony No. 2 (2015) – for orchestra
Symphony No. 1 (2013) – for string orchestra, harp and percussion
Abmiram Sebiv Teniralc Cisum (2005) – for marimba, vibes, clarinet and string orchestra
Works for voices
Circles
– The Imaginary Dream of Nicolaus Copernicus –
Concerto for Percussion and Mixed Choir (32-voices – SSSSSSSSAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTBBBBBBBB)
1. Caelum
2. Circles (attacca)
3. Mundus (attacca)
4. Misterium (attacca)
ca. 28’
(2021)
Circles was commissioned by Fabian Ziegler and the Zürcher Sing-Akademie
https://fabianziegler.ch/#home
http://www.sing-akademie.ch
https://www.florianhelgath.de
Apocalypsis (2008) – for 12 voices choir a cappella
Works for chamber groups
Shifts I -Invocation- (2017) – for marimba and organ
Fireworks free fall III (2016) – for three marimbas
Fireworks free fall II (2016) – for three marimbas
Chain VI (c. 2014, r. 2016) – for two marimbas
Chain V (c. 2014, r. 2016) – for two marimbas
Chain IV (c. 2014, r. 2016) – for two marimbas
Transient lights (2015) – for accordion and string quartet
Blurred lines (2015) – for chamber ensemble and live electronics
Fireworks free fall I (2013) – for three marimbas
String quartet No. 1 (Hypnotic mosaic) (2013)
Particles of time (Drobiny czasu) (2011) – for two pianos
Trio (2010) – for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Mantra (2010) – for two vibraphones
Chain III (2009) – for two marimbas
Chain II (2007) – for two marimbas
Chain I (2006) – for two marimbas
Works for solo instruments
Color IV – Winter (2020) – for piano (educational work)
Color III – Autumn (2020) – for piano (educational work)
Color II – Summer (2020) – for piano (educational work)
Color I – Spring (2020) – for piano (educational work)
The Four Colors of The Year – for piano (educational work) | Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland Scholarship – Kultura w sieci
Distant resonances (2014) – for marimba solo
ANNELIE (2012) – for harpsichord solo
Autumn dance (Jesienny taniec) (2011) – for piano (educational work)
Sonata (2010) – for cello solo
Ypsilon (2007) – for marimba solo
Works for instrument and electronics
Mosaic VI (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic V (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic IV (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic III (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic II (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic I (2017) – for marimba and electroacoustic layers
Mosaic’s I–VI | Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland Scholarship
Disappearing whispers (2014) – for guitar and live electronics (amplified guitar or electric guitar)
Electroacoustic works
WROPHONY (2020) – electroacoustic work (2.0)
The work was composed and produced within the scholarship of the Mayor of Wrocław
Digital release: https://arkadiuszkatny.fanlink.to/wrofonia
Blue Moon (2016) – electroacoustic
Opening (2015) – electroacoustic (audiosfera NFM)
Ambient Variations (2015) – electroacoustic
Loop. Up. (2015) – electroacoustic
2015
Lew na ulicy | directed by Cezary Iber (2015) – theatre music
2014
Penelopiada | directed by Katarzyna Donner (2014) – theatre music
Śniący chłopiec | directed by Marta Streker (2014) – theatre music
Spotkania | directed by Justyna Szyszło and Kamila Żurawska (2014) – music for short film
2013
Blanche Trip | directed by Katarzyna Donner (2013) – theatre music
2022/2023
Concerto for Marimba and Chamber Orchestra – Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Scholarship
https://www.gov.pl/web/kultura