Biography

Roch Modrzejewski was born in Krakow on 3rd May 1983 into
a musical family. He began playing guitar at the age of 7 in the
Mieczysław Karłowicz State School of Music in Krakow, from
where he graduated with distinction in 2002. After this, he
commenced guitar studies in class of Prof. Michał Nagy at the
Academy of Music in Krakow. He graduated with excellent mark
in 2007. During this time, Roch also studied at the Liszt School
of Music in Weimar under famous German guitarist and
pedagogue Prof. Thomas Müller-Pering. Roch is currently
studying in class of Prof. Pablo Márquez at the Music Academy
of Basel and is employed as Assistant at the Academy of Music
in Krakow.

Roch is a laureate of numerous prizes in renowned
international guitar competitions in Europe and North America.
He has received many awards and scholarships for
outstanding artistic achievement. In 2005, he received
scholarships from the Polish Ministry of Culture and from the
City of Krakow, and in 2006 he was made Laureate of the
“Young Poland” scholarship.

Roch is gaining increasing respect internationally through his
concerts in Poland and abroad. He has performed in such places as the King's Castle in Warsaw, the National Museum “Sala Hołdu Pruskiego” in Krakow, the Lublin Philharmonic, and in the Gold Room of the Philharmonic Hall in Krakow. He has also recorded for radio and television. In addition to his solo performances, he frequently plays chamber music in duos with harpsichord, guitar, clarinet and violin. His broad, stylish, diverse repertoire includes works from the great Renaissance composers to contemporary music. He also gives concerts with orchestras, performing guitar concertos, such as “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo or “Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra” by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

He has received masterclasses from virtuosos such as Abel Carlevaro (Uruguay), Carlo Marchione (Italy), Pavel Steidl (Czech Republic) Ricardo Gallén (Spain), Joaquin Clerch (Cuba) and Fabio Zanon (Brazil). His interest in Early music has also developed through lessons with artists such as flautist Rachel Brown (Great Britain) and baroque violinist and conductor Simon Standage (Great Britain). His knowledge of Early music has also been enriched by chamber music lessons with the outstanding Polish harpsichord player Elżbieta Stefańska.

During his musical education, Roch has received awards in the following competitions:

 - 2nd Prize, International Guitar Competition “Westfalian Guitar Spring” in Erwitte, Germany, 2006
 - 1st Prize, International Guitar Competition “Guitare Lachine” in Montreal, Canada, 2005
 - 3rd Prize, International Guitar Competition in Nürtingen, Germany, 2004
 - 3rd Prize, International Guitar Competition of Czesław Droździewicz memorial in Cracow, Poland, 2003
 - the special award (in 2002) and the 3rd Prize (2003), International Guitar Competition in Bath, England
 - 1st Prize and a special award, International Guitar Competition in Esztergom, Hungary, 2001
 - 2nd Prize, International Guitar Competition in Krynica, Poland, 1999.


Roch Modrzejewski plays a guitar by Paco Santiago Marin, XXX Aniversario model.