Biography

Born in Warsaw, Jadwiga Kotnowska played three instruments - flute, violin and piano - until she was 18. After winning several national flute competitions at the age of thirteen, she quickly established herself as a flute soloist.

Apart from her education at the Warsaw Academy of Music, Jadwiga Kotnowska studied with Aurele Nicolet in Switzerland, and Jean Pierre Rampal and Alain Marion in France. In 2001 she obtained a doctorate in music at the Bydgoszcz Music Academy.
She is a winner of seven international flute competitions,

2004
Moscow Conservatory Big Concert Hall - Gorecki's Flute Concerto accompagnied by the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by W.Michniewski.

2003 Dec.
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by A.Wit - Gorecki's Flute Concerto performed in the Big Warsaw Philharmonic Hall.

2003 Nov.
Recitals and Master Classes in Royal College of Music in London and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff

2002 Aug.
Participation in the International Music Festival in Ceret, France, organized by the Polish composer, Joanna - Bruzdowics - Tittel. Flute concerto by J.Pla and the recital repertory with French music and Lita Grier Flute Sonata. World Premiere performance of the piece by Stephen Cohn.

2002 Jul.
Participation in the International Chamber Music Festival in Kuhmo, Finland with the recital repertory and chamber music like "Pierrot Lunaire" by A.Schoenberg

2002 Feb.
Concert tour in the USA with recital repertory with Japanese pianist Yoko Yamada

2000
Performance with the prestigeous Polish string quartet, "Kwartet Slaski" in Bach repertoire.

1999
Invitation to the "Berliner Philharmoniker" as a soloist in "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi

1998
World Premiere Performance of the Flute Concerto by K.Debski at the Warsaw Royal Castle, written especially for the artist.

1996/97
Concert tours - Asia, Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates

1995
The only Polish flutist who performed and recorded the "Concerto Cantata" by H.M. Gorecki with the Polish Radio National Orchestra

1994
Invited by K.Penderecki to perform his Flute Concerto in Germany, conducted by the composer, also performed at K.Penderecki's Festival in Cracow.

1993/4
Producer and soloist of the CD project "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi and the Concerto in E minor by S.Mercadante - nomination for the Warsaw Frederic Award

1993
CD recording in Paris: "Flute et harpe en recital" for the QUANTUM company

1991
Soloist of the Opening Concert of the first Mozart Festival in Warsaw (live TV transmission)

1990
Swiss radio transmissions of live recitals in Geneva & Lausanne with harpsichordist in baroque and contemporary repertoire

1989
Concert tours in Netherlands with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ivan Monighetti; performances in Rotterdam and the Moscow Conservatory

1988
The first and only Polish performance of the "Tete d'Orfee II" by E.Sikora at the "Warsaw Autumn" Festival in Warsaw

1988
The first and only performance in Poland of "Concierto Pastorale" by J.Rodrigo, next presented at composer's birthday concert in Valencia, Spain

1987
Won a competition and took an appointment as the First Solo Flutist with the "Gulbenkian Symphony Orchestra" in Lisbon, Portugal, conducted by Claudio Schimone

1986
Awarded the French Government scholarship to study with Alain Marion in Paris; European concert tours with the chamber orchestra "Concerto Avenna"

1985
Won a competition and took an appointment as the First Solo Flutist with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic Orchestra in Antwepen (Belgium)

1983
GOLD MEDAL and GRAND PRIX at the international Young Soloists' Festival in Bordeaux

1980
THIRD PRIZE at the International V.Bucchi Competition in Rome, organized by the Conservatoire Santa Cecilia, Italy

1979
SECOND PRIZE and SPECIAL PRIZE for the interpretation of the Sonatina by Boulez at the International Queen Sophie Competition in Madrid

1979
FIRST PRIZE at the Second International Flute Competition in Formia (Italy)

1978
FIRST PRIZE at the International Elaine Schaffer Competition in Belveglio (Italy)

1978
THIRD PRIZE and SPECIAL PRIZE for the best interpretation of French music at the International Maria Canals competition in Barcelona

1978
SILVER MEDAL at the 27th International G.B. Viotti Competition in Vercelli (Italy)

International appearances of the Artist include: Tivoli Hall in Copenhagen, Grieg Hall during the Bergen Festival, Palau de Musica in Barcelona, Teatro Real in Madrid, The Purcell Room in London, De Doelen Hall in Rotterdam, Ijsbreker Hall in Amsterdam, Concert Homage for J.Rodrigo in Valencia, The Big Concert Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Schauspielhaus in Berlin, Lincoln Center in New York, Berliner Philharmoniker.

She released several recordings for the Polish Radio and Television, as well as for the Spanish, French, Swiss and Dutch broadcasting networks. CD recordings for the Polskie Nagrania, MDG, Quantum and Tonpress.
She also gives Master Classes in Finland, Italy, USA and recently at the Royal College of Music in London.