Włodzimierz Nahorny, laureate of the "Golden Fryderyk" Lifetime Achivement Award. photo: Marek Dusza
Polish pop star Monika Brodka sweeps the 2011 Fryderyki music awards
The Polish Phonographic Academy announced the winners of Poland's most prestigious musical prize at the ceremonial gala at Warsaw's Fabryka Trzcziny. The Academy represents nearly one thousand musicians, composers, record producers, music journalists and the recording industry. The number of Academy members has been growing each year as each edition's nominees are invited to join. This year's nominees were named on February 23, 2011, along the winners of three Lifetime Achievement Awards.
This year Wojciech Młynarski, Włodzimierz Nahorny and Jerzy Maksymiuk were honoured with Gold Fryderyk statuettes for their contributions in the pop, jazz and classical music categories, respectively.
The Academy selects the annual Fryderyk award nominees and winners in tworounds of secret voting. In the popular music category, Monika Brodka took home three wins out of her nine nominations this year, for Vocalist of the Year, Pop Album of the Year (for Granda) and Music Production of the Year. The Polish "Idol" winner in 2004 has made a remarkable breakthrough with the evolution of a very eclectic, experimental style. Cover art for her 2010 Granda album was designed by illustrator Bartek Arobal. Other female vocalists in the running included: Ania Dąbrowska, Kayah, Natalia Kukulska and Gaba Kulka. Ania Dąbrowska took home the win for Best Video for her Bang Bang video produced by Mateusz Rakowicz and Tymon Wyciszkiewicz.
As for male vocalists, Czesław Mozil lost out on all seven of his nominations, which included Best Male Vocalist. Kuba Badach took home the prize instead.
The rock band Acid Drinkers won four out of its six nominations, including Best Song for Love Shack, Best Metal Album of the year, Best Group and Best Album Graphics. Other rock, pop and alternative bands nominated in their respective categories include: Raz Dwa Trzy, Dezerter, Voo Voo, Muniek, Kim Nowak, Marika, Novika D4D, Muchy, NO!NO!NO! and Pogodno. Dezerter won for Rock Album of the Year.
The compilation album Męskie Granie" / "Manly Music won for Alternative Music Album of the Year, featuring songs by a melange of Polish artists across genres: Smolik, Abradab, Maleńczuk, Waglewski, Mitch&Mitch, Pogodno, Fisz Emade, Kim Nowak, DJ Eprom, OXY.GEN, Voo Voo and Jacaszek.
The Biggest Phonographic Debut went to experimental Polish band Tres.B, while the Best Foreign Album went to Kings of Leon for Come Around Sundown.
Classical Music - Album of the Year winners:
- Choir and Oratory: Laudate Dominum. Chór Katedry Warszawsko-Praskiej "Musica Sacra"
- Period and Baroque Music: Bartłomiej Pękiel - Missa Brevis, Missa Pulcherrima, Motety. Il Canto
- Chamber Music: Karol Szymanowski - Complete Violin-Piano Works. Sławomir Tomasik, Robert Morawski
- Symphony and Concerto: Witold Lutosławski Opera omnia - Symfonie nr 2 i 4
- Solo Recital: Schumann - Piano Works. Piotr Anderszewski
- Phonographic Debut of the Year: Wrocławska Orkiestra Barokowa (album Koželuh, Rejcha, Vořišek - Symphonies)
- Composer of the Year: Marian Borkowski
- Best Recording of Polish Music: Wydanie Narodowe Chopina w formacie Super Audio, Janusz Olejniczak, Orkiestra Kameralna Aukso
Jazz Music - Album of the Year winners:
- Jazz Album of the Year: Adam Pierończyk Quintet, Komeda - The Innocent Sorcerer
- Phonographic Debut of the Year: Robert Kubiszyn
- Jazz Composer of the Year: Michał Tokaj
- Jazz Musician of the Year: Adam Pierończyk
In the history of the awards, singers Katarzyna Nosowska and Kayah, and the band Hey have won the most awards.
For a full list of nominees and winners, see: www.zpav.pl
Sources: Polish Phonographic Academy