6 Questions for Zuzanna Koziej
An Interview
Zuzanna Koziej is a Polish composer and arranger. She is dedicated to creating music that connects, educates, and opens new perspectives for both performers and listeners.
What was your first composition?
My very first composition was Chinese Melody, written entirely on the black keys of the piano. I composed it when I was five years old.
Which other composers inspire you?
I have my own world of sounds and harmony. I am not inspired by any particular composer. Instead, I sometimes draw inspiration from traditional folk music, which has no single author and exists as a collective voice shaped by many people. However, I do appreciate certain works, such as those by Sven-David Sandström or Benjamin Britten.
Your most emotional musical experience to date?
I have had several such experiences. One of the most powerful was hearing my piece performed by 350 people on stage from seven different countries. It showed how music can unite and bring people together. This happened in 2015 and had a strong influence on my path as a composer.
Where do you prefer to compose?
On a train or surrounded by nature. I like to be inspired by greenery, sunlight, or rain.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently working on a new a cappella choral piece on the Elements, commissioned by the Choir of the Maritime University in Szczecin.
When you’re not composing or making music, then…
… I read books, travel, do any kind of handicraft, such as woodburning.
Da Pacem
Zuzanna Koziej
Carus 7.458/00
Zuzanna Koziej is a recipient of the Young Poland scholarship awarded by the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage (2021) and has won numerous awards in international composition competitions. A graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, she continued her studies at the Conservatorio Statale di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” in Turin, Italy. She has had the opportunity to learn from composers such as Bob Chilcott, Ko Matsushita, Ēriks Ešenvalds, and Paweł Łukaszewski.
(c) Stan Engebretson
Contemporary Choral Music – Recommended by Jan Schumacher
It’s no secret that Eastern Europe has produced a wealth of high-quality choral music. Our newly published works are real discoveries – very different sacred choral works for concert and worship by composers of the younger generation. I invite you to get to know this wonderful music!
Jan Schumacher
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