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Acclaimed Polish cellist and composer Dobrawa Czocher unveils today her latest EP, Sonata for Solo Cello: Joanna’s Tale, celebrating women’s bravery during wartime. Composed in 2024 following a commission from the Warsaw Uprising Museum, this powerful three-movement work commemorates the 80th anniversary of Poland's historic Warsaw Uprising.
Her first release through FatCat Records' modern classical imprint 130701, the EP explores emotional depth and narrative exclusively through the expressive possibilities of the solo cello. Listen to Sonata for Solo Cello: Joanna’s Tale – here
Sonata for Solo Cello: Joanna’s Tale
marks a return to Czocher's classical roots, following her critically acclaimed debut solo album Dreamscapes (2023). The album garnered widespread praise and earned nominations across six categories at Germany's prestigious Opus Klassik awards, including Instrumentalist of the Year and Composer of the Year categories, cementing her reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.
In this new release, influences from celebrated composers such as Robert Schumann, Alfred Schnittke, and Steve Reich, as well as film and illustrative music resonate, embodying a style that resonates closely with the composer’s own voice.
Following on from the Sonata, Czocher was subsequently invited to collaborate on the side-specific opera D'arc, directed by Krystian Lada and created specifically for this occasion. The opera centers on the character of Joanna, a young cellist whose aspirations of a solo career are shattered by war’s harsh realities. Through both acting and composition, Czocher intimately portrays Joanna's internal struggle, vulnerabilities, and strength. The opera ultimately serves as a powerful homage to all women who, though not frontline fighters, courageously shaped history through countless acts of everyday heroism during wartime.
Speaking about the project, Czocher explains “This was a special journey for me. I had never before had such a task to compose music and give a voice to the heroine of a story. Taking part in Krystian Lada’s Opera D'arc was an experience that left me with a lot of reflections on the subject of creative freedom, stage freedom, and the power that a solo instrumental piece carries. The piece consists of three themes: the first emanates great hopes, the second the reality of war, and the third her fight. The Sonata allowed me to express my musical roots while finding a deeply personal musical language.”
The Warsaw Uprising, initiated by the Polish Home Army, was the largest resistance-led military action against Nazi occupation during World War II. Originally intended as a swift rebellion, it endured for 63 grueling days, becoming an enduring symbol of courage and resolve amid adversity. Tragically, the conflict resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 individuals, primarily civilians, leaving a lasting legacy of bravery that resonates deeply within Polish national identity to this day. For Dobrawa, this history holds profound personal and cultural significance.
Dobrawa Czocher is celebrated globally for her remarkable versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral artist. Known for her ability to expand the spectrum of the cello’s sound, navigating seamlessly between classical and contemporary music, her unique talent lies in combining impeccable technical skill with boundless imagination and expressive depth.
Her musical journey began at age 7, leading her to prestigious institutions including Warsaw’s Chopin University of Music and Germany’s Hochschule für Musik in Detmold. Czocher also served as a lead soloist with the Mieczysław Karłowicz Symphony Orchestra in Poland. For many years she has been collaborating with good friend, pianist Hania Rani.
As a leading figure on the contemporary classical scene, the duo released the debut album Biała Flaga in 2015 and Inner Symphonies (2021) via Deutsche Grammophon.
Following her performance at The Great Escape in May, Dobrawa Czocher’s vibrant creative journey promises to further captivate audiences this year with innovative projects that continue to redefine and elevate the classical music landscape.