What is the best thing that I love about my work?
Making music, synergy between conductor, ensemble and audience.
What is my idea of happiness?
Being grateful.
What is my greatest fear?
Getting stuck in something.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
Withdrawal.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
There are a lot of them, I especially admire all those who are persistent in pursuing their goals, and on the other hand, people with broad horizons, who are not afraid to take risks, are an inspiration to me.
What is my greatest extravagance?
Unrealistic desire for independence, and I can be nonchalant,not everyone understands it.
On what occasion would I lie?
I would prefer none
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
Wasting energy on bureaucracy that serves no purpose.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
I feel such fulfillment which is a kind of happiness when we create music together, these are unforgettable moments, I function then in another dimension, I do not feel the passage of time or energy at all.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
To be more open to others, to get rid of some of the beliefs about self-sufficiency, I am working on this, among other things.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
Consistent realization of my musical dreams, i.e. great oratorio works performed by the Ensemble I established, with the participation of excellent and even famous artists and in accordance with what I assumed, with my inner musical truth.
Where would I most like to live?
In a friendly place in an environment, where I could find kindred spirits, where I could fulfill myself and develop.
What is my most treasured possession?
I don’t have one, I don’t get attached to things.
What is my most marked characteristic?
I can be stubborn
What is my most inspirational location,in my city?
Places with a rich history and wonderful architecture
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
I’ve lived here for such a short time that I don’t have them yet 🙂
What books influenced my life and how?
The Bible is certainly a strong inspiration for me, both on a spiritual level and an artistic and intellectual one, which is also very useful for me in my work on the scores of religious musical works.
I also discovered books by the excellent Polish novelist Józef Ignacy Kraszewski. Did you know that he wrote over 200 historical novels and short stories, basing his work on extensive studies of historical sources. They therefore have an interesting value of a deep insight into the character of a given era, from pre-Christian times to the 19th century. Incredible!
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I would choose complete silence, or maybe only the sounds of nature… I love silence.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
I don’t really have anyone like that, I’m more interested in biographies.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
My father Władysław Żarski. Although he passed away many years ago, he is still remembered by many as a wonderful man, teacher, educator.
He was a wonderful, loving and supportive, yet demanding father, he was the one who believed in my musical path the most, he also instilled in me the desire for truth and courageous freedom.
What role play stories in my life and work?
They certainly play their role, but with time, with age, chronology, the sequence of events, begins to matter less and less. Rather, one collects individual images, faces, places and, above all – impressions.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
Hmm, it’s not that simple. I believe that in our lives there are things that are predestined for us and things that we can have a real influence on. I see my task as being able to distinguish one from the other and where the state of affairs depends on me, to learn courageous agency and faith in my own abilities while trusting in support from above.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
There are many people and institutions with whom I cooperate, without their support there would be no way to implement my projects. Working with musicians both instrumentalist and singers, including highly recognized ones, authorities in their fields, is incredibly inspiring and supportive. They not only share a passion for music with me, but who trust my conducting vision, are open and very friendly. Among them are such recognizable names for fans of baroque music around the world as Peter Kooij and Andreas Scholl, as well as the wonderful artist and person Olga Pasiecznik – soprano who has been active in Poland for years but comes from Ukraine.
I greatly value our cooperation with the Cultural Center in Przemyśl (Poland) and its director Mr.Janusz Czarski. It is thanks to his initiative, consistent efforts and agency that we were able to present in Przemyśl such masterpieces as: B Minor Mass by J.S. Bach or Mozart’s Requiem. This is an extremely important cooperation, which I would very much like to continue.
Which people or companies would I like to work with?
There are several places where I would like to present our projects. I would like to convince large and renowed festivals in Poland, such as Misteria Paschalia, Vratislavia Cantans or Chopin and his Europe and others, which have the possibility to organize large oratorio-cantata concerts, that it is worth establishing cooperation with Baroque Collegium 1685 and that a Polish female conductor, looking quite filigree, can lead great musical works at an international level. I believe that it will be successful.
And I would also very much like to conduct Bach in the places where he lived and created.
What project am I looking forward to work on?
I have plans for the next three seasons and these are projects that I look forward to with joy and enthusiasm, and which I have already started working on. Among them is a baroque stage work and it is a world premiere, the details of which I will not reveal yet.
Our next concert promises to be extraordinary – Bach’s Cantatas performed by one of the best countertenors in the world, Andreas Scholl in Przemyś. It will be a great joy for me to be able to accompany this wonderful artist with the Baroque Collegium 1685 Orchestra.
And in November we will present, together with excellent soloists, the famous “Magnificat” by J.S. Bach and “Magnificat” by G.Ph. Telemann, which will be performed in Poland for the first time. The concert will take place in Szczawno-Zdrój, near the border with the Czech Republic and Germany, I invite everyone, who would have the opportunity to travel to this charming place.
Where can you see me or my work?
I cordially invite everyone to our YouTube channel/BaroqueCollegium1685, https://www.youtube.com/@baroquecollegium1685 ,where you will find live recordings of our concerts. It is worth subscribing to this channel.
We also invite you to follow our social media, where there is always a lot going on: FB/Agnieszka Żarska, FB/BaroqueCollegium1685, FB/BarokoweEksploracje. Moreover, if you want, you can show us tangible support by making an easy donation for the implementation of our concerts, for which we will be extremely grateful: https://zrzutka.pl/nzwcfe#description
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
I believe that my passion for music will accompany me until the end of my days, in any case I try to be careful enough so that what I plan and do is always connected with true passion and is an expression of my interior.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
There are many women who inspire me on a daily basis, it is difficult for me to point out specific names.
But if you would like to transcend time and space, I would recommend you to get to know two historical figures, gigantic and almost mythical Polish women – heroines: Wanda Landowska and Karolina Lanckorońska, whose life and work can inspire creative, art- and beauty-loving, brave women of all generations.
How can you contact me?
You can write to me, I invite you warmly: zarskaga@gmail.com
The Heroine's Journey 