Polish cellist Dobrawa Czocher weaves dreamy and repetitive soundscapes that echo the textured and emotional style of Philip Glass. Join us for a mesmerising and soul-stirring highlight from the Europavox Festival.

Dobrawa Czocher: Europavox Sessions 2023

Europavox Sessions

Dobrawa Czocher © Maria Skarbek-Kiełłczewska

The Europavox Sessions and Festivals, in collaboration with ARTE Concert, are a platform dedicated to promoting European music. The aim is to showcase emerging musical talent from across Europe and provide them with a platform for reaching a broader audience. These events emphasise the diversity and richness of the European music scene, offering both artists and audiences a unique opportunity to engage with and celebrate that diversity.

Artists always perform in a live setting that frequently includes an audience. Each artist typically performs three songs, offering a snapshot of their music and style. These performances are broadcast on ARTE Concert and available for replay for several months.
The 2023 edition featured, among others, the Polish cellist and composer Dobrawa Czocher, known for her captivating performances that fuse classical music with modern, narrative-driven compositions.

Dobrawa Czocher

Born in 1986 in Tczew, Poland, Dobrawa Czocher’s musical talent became evident early on. Influenced by her musical family background, she took up the cello at the age of seven. Czocher graduated from the Feliks Nowowiejski Music School in Gdansk and continued her studies at the prestigious Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw.

Czocher also studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, Germany, under Professor Alexander Gebert. Her formal education provided a strong foundation in both classical technique and music theory, while her innate passion for the cello allowed her to experiment with a wide variety of styles and expressions.

Biała flaga (White Flag)

Czocher has been involved in various musical ensembles and has a notable collaboration with pianist Hania Rani. Their first project together, “Biała flaga” (White Flag), was released in 2015 and featured new interpretations of songs by the late Polish composer Grzegorz Ciechowski. The album managed to enter the top 30 on the Polish charts. Their album “Inner Symphonies” was released by Deutsche Grammophon, marking them as the first female duo on this prestigious label.

In 2023, she released her debut solo album, “Dreamscapes,” which was nominated for six categories at the German Opus Klassik awards, including instrumentalist of the year and composer of the year. This album explores the theme of dreams and the subconscious, blending classical with contemporary music elements.

Musical Approach

Czocher strongly believes that every piece tells a story, and she strives to uncover and communicate the emotional depth behind it. Her playing is marked by a deep connection to the emotional core of the music, combined with a virtuosic technique that never overwhelms the expressive qualities of the score.

In her own composition, Czocher frequently blends her classical training with modern influences. Her work is described as emotionally engaging, aiming to connect with listeners on a profound level and often exploring themes like spirituality, introspection, and the subconscious mind.

Europavox 2023

Dobrawa Czocher

Dobrawa Czocher’s performance at the Europavox Festival 2023 was a significant highlight, particularly noted for her dreamy neoclassical music. Critics suggest that she evokes the work of “Philip Glass with her textured atmospheres and deep emotion,” presenting a cinematic and repetitive style that captivates listeners.

Czocher’s music has the ability to transport listeners to another reality, building bridges between the real and the imagined. Her innovative approach to composition is certainly charting new musical territories. She has carved a significant niche with her innovative cello performances and compositions, showcasing her ability to connect with listeners through deeply personal and evocative storytelling.

Dobrawa Czocher: Europavox Sessions 2023

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