Szymon Marciniak, born 1983 in Poland, is regarded as one of leading double-bass players of his generation. He started playing double-bass at the age of 11. His teachers in Poland, Germany and The Netherlands were Wenancjusz Kurzawa and Carol Harte (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam). Szymon Marciniak graduated with distinction from the Robert-Schumann-Hochschule in Düsseldorf (Germany) in 2005. He then continued his studies at the Conservatorium Maastricht (Holland). He has received scholarships from the Polish Ministry of Culture and the Carl Dörken Foundation from Herdecke (Germany). He has participated in master classes in Poland as well as abroad where he worked with such recognized musicians as Martin Dobner, Rainer Zepperitz, Francois Rabbath, David Sinclair, Joseph Carver, Mirel Iancovici, Anner Bylsma. He has won first prize on several competitions in Poland and abroad, among others: “A.B.Ciechański Double-Bass Competition”in Poznań 2002), International Franz Gregora Double-Bass Competition in Kromeriz (Czech Republic 2000) and Johann Matthias Sperger International Double-Bass Competition in Ludwigslust (Germany 2004). In 2003 he won a Competition for young soloists from the Nordrhein-Westfalen and the scholarship of the Cologne Assurance Company. In March 2006 Szymon Marciniak also won the prestigious “Vriendenkrans Concours”- music competition of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and in 2009 he was also semi-finalist at the International ARD Competition in Munich.
Szymon frequently gives solo recitals in Poland as well as Germany, Holland, Italy, Czech Republic, Belgium, Switzerland, Slovenia, appearing in major concert venues such as Robert-Schumann-Saal and Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Haydn Auditorium Bolzano and Philips Hall (Muziekcentrum) Eindhoven. Besides his work as duo artist Szymon has also played as soloist with Münchener Kammerorchester, Kammersymphonie Berlin, Mecklemburgische Staatskapelle Schwerin, Schweriner Kammerorchester, the Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau, Camerata Nova Szczecin, Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen and Fancy Fiddlers, always receiving high acclaim from audiences as well as critics.
Szymon Marciniak is also very active as chamber musician and has performed with such distinguished artists as Gustav Rivinius, Philip Setzer (Emerson String Quartet), Dmitri Ashkenazy, Iwan Koenig, Peter Buck (Melos Quartet), Philippe Graffin, Mirijam Contzen, Gil Sharon, Vera Beths, Paolo Giacometti, Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer, Faure Quartett, Notabu Ensemble Neue Musik and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. As a chamber musician Szymon performs at many festivals around Western Europe. He continuously receives invitation to perform at the Ostfriesische Musiksommer Summer Festival in Germany and has also appeared at the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, Oberstdorfer Musiksommer, Usedomer Musikfestival, Weingartener Musiktage, Giverny and Saintes Festivals (France).
In 2005 renowned german composeer, Jürg Baur wrote an opera “Der Roman mit dem Kontrabass” after a book by A. Tchehov. A one hour opera included virtuosic solos for double-bass composed by Baur specially for Szymon Marciniak. The premiere in Düsseldorf in November 2005 was highly succesful. The German press named Marciniak an “exceptional double-bass player”. Following this event, Baur wrote a Concertino for Double-Bass which is expected to be premiered by Szymon Marciniak in the near future.
Szymon has made several recordings for Radio (for the Polish Radio, the Westdeutscher Rundfunk, the Bayerischer Rundfunk, The Dutch Radio 4 and Radio of South Tyrol). In 2001 he released his first CD with pieces for Double Bass and Piano from Baroque to Romantic Music. He also made two demo-recordings, presenting pieces by Bottesini/Sarasate (2003) as well as Concertos by Dittersdorf and Tubin (2006). Szymon is currently principal double-bassist of the Residentie Orkest (The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra). Szymon performs on a double-bass made by Charles Quenoil (1945). He also plays on a bass made by Harry Jansen (2008), on loan from the Nationaal Muziekinstrumentenfonds of Amsterdam.
