|
The Polish violinist and composer, Agata-Maria Raatz, studied at the Hochschule der Künste Bern. Although she did not focus on competitions, her musical talent was recognized on an international level. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the International Music Competition London Grand Prize Virtuoso, International Queen Sophie Charlotte Violin Competition, Nicati-de-Luze International Music Competition in Lausanne, International Music Competition in Zürich "Rahn Musikpreis", International Chamber Music Competition "Orpheus", International Baltic Violin Competition in Danzig. In 2006 she was honored with the prize of Polish Ministry of Culture for her exceptional music activity. In 2020 she received the prestigious Hibou-Prize Award in Switzerland. She has gained significant influence and inspiration for her own style through collaborations with outstanding masters such as Zakhar Bron, Maxime Tholance, Benjamin Schmid, and Bartłomiej Nizioł.
Since her concert debut at the age of 11 with the Koszalin Symphony Orchestra, Agata-Maria Raatz has frequently performed with various orchestras. Former engagements include the Camerata Zürich, Biel Symphony Orchestra, Bern Symphony Orchestra, Fresco Sonare Symphony Orchestra, Krakow Symphony Orchestra, and Camerata Bern. Conductors she worked with include Krzysztof Penderecki, Bernard Haitink, Daniel Schweizer, Douglas Bostock, Gerard Korsten, Kristina Poska, Anton Steck and Gordon Bragg. As a devoted chamber musician, she performed with Nigel Kennedy as a member of his ensemble «Orchestra of Life.»
Agata-Maria Raatz has performed in the most illustrious concert halls in Europe, including Royal Albert Hall in London, Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Tonhalle Zürich, Lutosławski-Hall in Warsaw, and KKL Luzern. In addition, she was a guest at renowned festivals such as the Murten Classics Festival, the Swiss Chamber Music Festival in Adelboden, and the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival.
Agata-Maria Raatz is a new-generation artist, who combines innovative ideas with tradition. She is the author of many projects, combining music with other art forms. The Swiss composer Xavier Dayer dedicated to her his piece for violin solo Cette âme a six ailes tout comme les Séraphins. Together with pianist Marcin Fleszar, she regularly performs as the creative "Jaz DUO" presenting a wide range of repertoire that spans from early Baroque music to contemporary compositions. In addition to her solo activity as a violinist, she composes under the pseudonym Clara Jaz. Her compositions and interpretations have been broadcasted on BBC, SFR 2, Catalunya Radio, Polish Radio 2, Radio New Zealand, Sveriges Radio, among others. The artist has fascinated violin music fans all over the world reaching over 1 million views on Instagram. |
