Rafał Stradomski
Rafał Stradomski (born 13 October 1958 in Warsaw, Poland) is a Polish composer of contemporary classical music, pianist and writer. He studied composition with Professor Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz at the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. He also holds a degree in oboe. In 1986 he received two awards in composition: the first one, at the Young Composers' Competition, for his "Wind Quintet"; and, the second one, at the G. Fitelberg Competition for his "A tre" for a large symphony orchestra. In 1992–93, having been awarded a grant by the French Government, he studied at the École Normale  de Musique in Paris. In his compositions, Stradomski seeks new solutions in the domain of construction rather than new effects in sound. In some works, he employs serialist or dodecaphonic techniques, though not treating them rigoristically. He draws on the experience of aleatorism and uses elements of jazz, combining them with different composing techniques that he invented (often for the use of a single work). In 1984–2001, he organised concerts (of contemporary music as well) at the Warsaw Music Society. He is also a performing artist, playing old and contemporary music on the oboe and, in more recent times, on  the piano. Literary works. In 1995, he debuted as a writer. He wrote six books: "The Sexual Life of Moomintrolls", "The View From a Room Without Windows", "Russian Watch or Eternal Love", "All President’s Girl-Friends", "The President’s Return", "The President’s Secret" and four theater plays: "The Lawn", "The Godfather’s son", "The Dolt" and "The Contrabassoonist".