Aleksander Mocek

Aleksander Mocek developed his interest in early keyboard instruments during his studies under the direction of Prof. Magdalena Myczka in Kraków and Prof. Robert Hill in Freiburg im Breisgau. His decision to devote himself to early music performance – and to obtain a doctorate in this field – was preceded by parallel instrumental and theoretical studies in three specialities: in addition to the harpsichord, he also received diplomas in piano (in the class of Prof. Andrzej Pikul) and music theory. He completed masterclasses under the direction of Mitzi Meyerson, Christophe Rousset and among others (Montisi, Italy). At the International Bach Competitions in Leipzig he was awarded three prizes: Bärenreiter-Preis (2014), European Union Baroque Orchestra for the most promising harpsichordist of the competition (2014) and the audience prize in the final (2018).

As a soloist, he regularly performs recitals on historical keyboard instruments, e.g. several times at the “Fabulous Fringe” Oude Muziek festival in Utrecht. As a chamber musician and performer of the basso continuo part, he has performed with early music ensembles such as Capella Cracoviensis and {oh!} Historical Orchestra (now {oh!} Orkiestra) at home and abroad. In his role as harpsichordist, he took part in the original productions Johannes-Passion-in-Berliner-Dom with the Berliner Symphoniker orchestra and the break-dance shows Red Bull Flying Bach in Asia. In 2019, he performed the Polish premiere of Jean Françaix’s harpsichord concerto on Pleyel harpsichord with the Symphony Orchestra of the Kraków Academy of Music at the Kraków Philharmonic.

Within the scope of his scientific and popular science activities he has published articles, among others, in Ruch Muzyczny and presented papers during international conferences at the universities of Cambridge, Cologne and Bologna. In accordance with his interests oscillating between practice and theory, he teaches counterpoint and harmony in addition to his harpsichord class at his alma mater. During the pandemic, he started running a channel Kontrapunkt Czasu Zarazy (Counterpoint to Plague Time), where he published mini-lectures on the YouTube platform. His hobbies include collecting a library of foreign-language publications related to early music, which currently includes one and a half thousand items.

 

Awarded with ministerial scholarships and a grant from the “Young Poland” programme (2015) for his work. With several recitals during the 21st Bach Festival in Świdnica, including Kunst der Fuge, he started fulfilling his plan to perform all harpsichord works of Johann Sebastian Bach in 2020.