Bukolika Piano Trio is Anna Szałucka (piano), Roma Tic (violin), and Joanna Gutowska (cello)
Who or what inspired you to play together in a piano trio?
All three of us have always been very keen to play chamber music. Roma and Joanna know each other back from Poland, Anna and Roma met in London. Long story short – we were all passionate about playing in a trio together and wanted to discover the fantastic trio repertoire!
Who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?
We get inspiration and knowledge from amazing musicians around us. We are especially greateful to our current teachers at the Royal Academy of Music – Michael Dussek Christoph Richter, Guy Johnston, and Rodney Friend.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
We are still struggling to find opportunities for regular work around our extremely busy lives in London. Sometimes it means we have to wake up very early or go to sleep super late but we are ready for everything in the name of music!
Which performance/recordings are you most proud of?
We are very proud of our performance in the finals of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Music Competition which was very difficult for us and we managed to get the best out of ourselves on this occasion. Last year’s Royal Academy of Music Piano Festival was also something! We are really happy about our recording of Gorecki’s Bagatelles, which was a difficult piece for us to understand at the very beginning. In the end we played it well and it opened the door to the St John’s Smith Square Young Artists Scheme.
Which particular works do you think you play best?
We have a soft spot for the music of the 20th century, which also includes new repertoire and its premieres. We love Ravel…Although at the end of the day it’s extremely hard to choose and we try to cover all styles and periods.
How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?
It’s mostly based on our concert/competition schedules. The propositions and ideas come quite frequently and usually these are quite easy decisions. We also try to play music that we simply love and enjoy.
Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?
Wigmore Hall is fantastic! We also love Dartington Great Hall (where we will be again this year as a part of Dartington Summer School and Festival). It usually comes down to its comfortable acoustics and beautiful decor.
Who are your favourite musicians?
Let’s not talk names…:) But seriously – we love people who inspire us, make us better people and musicians. We recently took part in Highgate Chamber Music Festival and had a chance to work with Steven Isserlis. That was one of the highlights of the last year for us.
What is your most memorable concert experience?
The Royal Academy of Music Piano Festival 2016. First big concert together with Joanna still living in Poland. We don’t remember ever having to learn such an amount of repertoire in such a short period of time and succeed in a concert. It was meant to be.
As musicians, what is your definition of success?
Do what you love, playing music from your heart, work with exceptional musicians and being able to make your living out of it.
Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?
We’d like to be able to decide where we want to be and what we want to do.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Love, music, family, friendship, stability, travelling.
What is your most treasured possession?
Our friendship. Probably also our instruments.
What is your present state of mind?
Ready to work!
Bukolika Piano Trio perform at this year’s Dartington International Summer School and Festival. Further information here
The Bukolika Piano Trio is an ensemble already recognized for their intensely expressive music making, personal character of playing and exceptional virtuosity. Established in 2014 trio is particularly interested in discovering and performing chamber works of the 20th and 21st century, especially from their native Poland. The Bukolika Piano Trio has been selected for the St John’s Smith Square Young Artists Scheme 2017/2018, the Ex-Animo Membership Scheme as well as the A.S.S.E.T scheme in 2017. In 2017 they also competed finalists in the St-Marin-in-the-Fields Chamber Music Competition 2017. In 2018 the trio will performe the world premiere of new work by Hanna Kulenty which is dedicated to them.
The Bukolika Trio has performed in many renowned concert halls in Europe and the UK such as Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square, St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Great Hall Dartington, St James’s Piccadilly Church and St Peter’s Church as well as at important festivals including the Piano Festival and Russian Chamber Music Series at the Royal Academy of Music, Musical Autumn in Krakow (Poland) and Dartington Summer Festival. In June 2017 they made their debut on BBC Radio 3.
All of the ensemble members are connected with the Royal Academy of Music in London.
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