Dawid Kopp

Composer

Poland

Author

About

I started composing at the age of 12. I graduated from two music schools, now study music theory. I am an improvising pianist, which can be seen in my compositions (generally piano etudes, nocturnes, miniatures, two symphonic poems and small orchestral works ).

I achieved many prizes in various competitions, mainly for young composers. The most significant for me is the 1st award in the Composition Contest for chamber ensemble "V Concorso Internazionale di Musica Amigdala" in Sicily in 2015. Also important to me is the 1st prize I won in the 1st National Jazz Improvisation Competition in Gorzów Wielkopolski in 2013. I gave up taking part in composition competitions because, as a rule, non-tonal music was expected at them. This really clipped my wings.

My pieces sometimes sound late-Romantic, sometimes minimalist, religious, and even folk. I respect Arvo Part, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Wojciech Kilar, John Tavener. As for the masters, of course I admire Chopin, as befits a Pole. But I also like the music of Brahms, Smetana, Russian symphonics of the 19th century, and the little-known Polish composer Zygmunt Noskowski. My tastes and feelings are reflected in my pieces (their features - minor keys, important role of melody and harmony).

Here you can listen to and experience these melancholic sounds.

Piano miniatures:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvMzpYUI7zfCfGITK0d81vQTLhbdW6w0_

Orchestral pieces:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvMzpYUI7zfARns2nF80ow7CTJWvAG3jj

Videos

Sheets

Interview

What does music mean to you personally?

To my mind, music stands for emotions, melodies and harmony – all of them are essential for my pieces. I composed my first miniature at the age of 12. I study music theory, however I still compose for myself. I have just finished two symphonic poems and this is not my last word.

Do you agree that music is all about fantasy?

No, it‘s not obligatory to create a new world in music. My emotions and my life isn‘t about fantasy. You can find both in my miniatures ( with addition of folk accents and quasi-tintinnabuli). In general, tones are a reflection of experiences and reality, but expressed in an original way.

If you were not a professional musician, what would you have been?

Too hard question. Maybe I would be ordinary citizen, professional chess player (it‘s possible because my dad plays chess well), carpenter or another good profession. But that's just a guess.

The classical music audience is getting old, are you worried about the future?

It depends what do you mean saying . Tonal piano miniatures might be used in movies, so future can be ours. However it may or may not be going up. We must remember that our time is now.

What do you envision the role of music to be in the 21st century? Do you see that there is a transformation of this role?

Music can raise sensitive people, that goes without saying. The concept of forming people using music existed in the Enlightenment and Beethoven's symphonies (5th, 9th) are an example of the realization of this idea. It is worth returning to it. Compositions should have a message. A constant effort to find new things in music is not the solution. The tonal language of 19th century works can be enriched and let's keep it that way.

Do you think that the musician today needs to be more creative? What is the role of creativity in the musical process for you?

If a musician wants to start a revolution, he could be. But if not, craftsmanship is enough. Creativity is needed to show people your work and get an audience. Also it helps to avoid graphomania. However, great skills may replace creativity.

Do you think we as musicians can do something to attract the younger generation to music concerts? How would you do this?

Basic work can help. In my view, famous classical musicians should popularize this kind of music in social media.

Tell us about your creative process. What is your favorite piece (written by you) and how did you start working on it?

It‘s hard to point out one work only. Lyrical piano etudes, nostalgic nocturnes, minimal pieces, suggestive symphonic poems… All of them appeal to me. I love the process of composing, but I don‘t like playing my music after that, because of seeing a lot of notes to change. Sometimes before composing I sit down and improvise on piano and I write down few bars in MuseScore to create the further part in computer. Writing music without the possibility of checking the effect immediately makes no sense for me.

Can you give some advice for young people who want to discover classical music for themselves?

In my opinion they must met somebody, who show them moving masterpieces like Finlandia, Moldau, Górecki‘s Symphony of sorrowful songs, Respighi‘s Roman Trilogy etc. They are my favourites and I recommend this symphonic works for all. The most important thing is to search in affordable genres e.g. nocturnes, waltzes, piano miniatures, symphonic poems and other orchestral works, but not too long and too hard to understand.

Do you think about the audience when composing?

No. Searching an audience for finished works is much better for music. However, following traditional forms and harmonies definetely helps in getting listeners. We can't quite adapt to the audience, because we would end up making too simple pieces.

What projects are coming up? Do you experiment in your projects?

I thougt about composing something postromantic, but for prepared piano. Basically, in today's reality, there is nothing I can do. The difficult reality of the pandemic will not allow my symphonic works to be performed. I don't plan any projects until we beat the pandemic.