Maciej Zimka
Maciej Zimka graduated with distinction from the Academy of Music in Kraków, where he studied accordion in the class of Janusz Pater (2013). Three years later he completed his doctoral degree at the same institution, and in 2024 he obtained the degree of habilitated doctor of arts.
He is a laureate of numerous national and international instrumental competitions, including First Prize at the VI Lietuvos Akordeonistų Konkursas in Vilnius (Lithuania), First Prize at the 45th International Accordion Competition in Klingenthal (Germany, chamber music category), and the Prize for the Best Performance of a composition by Andrzej Krzanowski at the IV Andrzej Krzanowski Accordion Competition in Czechowice-Dziedzice.
accordion
Maciej Zimka performs extensively as both a soloist and chamber musician, presenting classical and contemporary repertoire. He has appeared at numerous international festivals, including Sound 12” in Newcastle upon Tyne (United Kingdom), Les Clés du Classique (France/Spain), Festival Musique et Patrimoine en Vienne et Gartempe (France), Concerts at Lempertz (Belgium), Modena Organ Festival (Italy), Share Leipzig (Germany), Calliope Kammermusikreihe (Germany), Festival Musique de Chambre Beausoleil (France), Trnavská Hudobná Jar (Slovakia), Classica Brianza (Italy), Prikarpacka Vesna (Ukraine), Fimucité (Spain), as well as Audio Art Festival, MÓZG Festival, Art Forum Festival, Euro Chamber Music Festival, the Lower Silesian Music Festival and Wawel at Dusk in Poland. He has also undertaken concert tours in the United States and Israel.
In addition to his performing career, he is an active composer. His works include compositions for accordion as well as for a wide range of instruments and chamber ensembles. Among his distinctions is the Grand Prix at the VIII International Composition Competition in Sanok (2017). Since 2011 he has been actively involved in the activities of the Art Forum Foundation, co-organizing numerous cultural projects, including the Małopolska Music Festival Music in Historic Sites, where he has served as Artistic Director since 2020. Since 2014 he has also curated the Concerts of Premieres of Accordion Works organized by the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków.
His albums released in 2021 by Requiem Records / Opus Series — AccoChameleon (with Wiesław Ochwat, accordion) featuring classical repertoire, and Out of the Circle, presenting his own chamber compositions with accordion (performed with Maria Sławek – violin, Wiesław Ochwat – accordion, Miłosz Mączyński – guitar, and Piotr Lato – clarinet) — received awards at the 10th International Music Awards Spring 2022 of Clouzine Magazine (USA) in the categories Best Instrumental Album (AccoChameleon) and Best Classical Album (Out of the Circle). Both albums were also nominated for the prestigious Opus Klassik 2022 awards. Out of the Circle was additionally honored with the Golden Diploma at the 2nd International Music Eagles Competition (2022).
Since 2018 Maciej Zimka has led the accordion class at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków.