Strings in Sync: The Story Behind Duo VivaTasto's Award-Winning Sound
- WOMCO
- May 29
- 3 min read
Duo VivaTasto was a Absolute First Prize Winner in the Chamber Music Category, at the 2025 Season 2 UK International Music Competition.
When and why did you form your duo, and does playing music together hold a special meaning for you?
Our duo was formed in October 2024 within the walls of the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy
of Music in Bydgoszcz. After many long conversations, we discovered that we share not
only a common musical aesthetic but also a deep passion for chamber music. From the
very first rehearsals, we felt an instant connection—especially through fast-paced
Spanish and Argentine rhythms and melodies. Playing as a duo means much more to us
than just a university assignment or an exam grade; it is a source of joy, pleasure, and a
wordless conversation in which each sound is born of mutual listening and
understanding on many levels.
Your award-winning video performance includes works by Astor Piazzolla and Máximo Diego Pujol. How did you prepare to interpret the stylistic elements and historical context of these compositions for violin and guitar? How did you approach the rehearsal process to shape your ensemble sound for these pieces?
Interpreting the works of composers such as Astor Piazzolla and Máximo Diego Pujol is
always a process of deep, immersive dialogue with the music—both emotionally and
intellectually. Before we began working on the sound itself, we devoted a great deal of
time to listening to original performances in order to capture the drama, passion,
elegance, and melancholy that define these pieces. During rehearsals, we focused on
developing a shared musical language. Attention to articulation, phrasing, and tempo was
crucial. The violin and guitar combination demands particular sensitivity in terms of
dynamics and rhythm—especially since the guitar often serves both harmonic and
percussive functions. We aimed to create a cohesive and intimate sound, while also
leaving room for expression, emotion, and spontaneity—not forgetting breath and a
sense of fun☺️. For us, the most important goal was "telling a story." This is music that
calls not only for precision, but also heart and a smile—and that is exactly what we tried
to find and share through our performance.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank (such as collaborators or supporters)?
Participating in the competition was a tremendous source of inspiration and motivation
for us. We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to share our interpretation with an
international audience and jury. We would especially like to thank the teachers who
worked with us on this repertoire over the past few months—Dr. Katarzyna Gluza and
Marcin Chiliński—as well as our solo performance professors: Prof. Krzysztof Pełech and
Prof. Jan Romanowski. We are also deeply thankful to our families and loved ones for
their constant support and belief in our musical journey. And finally, sincere thanks to
the organizers for their professionalism and for creating a space where artists can share
their passion.
Biography
Duo VivaTasto is a chamber music duo formed by classical guitarist Katarzyna Wójcicka
and violinist Alicja Kostrubiec. The ensemble was founded in October 2024 at the Feliks
Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Born from a close friendship and a
shared passion for music, the duo began with a dream to one day perform Astor
Piazzolla’s iconic Libertango together.
Both musicians are actively involved in the world of solo and chamber performance,
regularly participating in renowned international competitions such as the Royal Maas
International Competition, the Global Young Musicians Competition, and the 6th Wanda
Wiłkomirska International Violin Competition of Polish Music.
VivaTasto works under the guidance of Marcin Chiliński and Dr. Katarzyna Gluza at the
Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. The duo brings together musical sensitivity and the
pursuit of a unique sound — their performances are a fusion of friendship, passion, and
a deep commitment to artistic excellence.
