Stawski Strings

I have been a professional violinist for over forty years. I have played in various orchestras and under the direction of numerous conductors, but I invariably felt that there was something more to the violin, and to bowed instruments in general — that it was possible to produce a much deeper and dynamic sound.

Following this belief, I decided to create the sound of a string orchestra on my own, using the technique of track layering. My quest has led me far beyond the boundaries of the known system. I built my own recording studios, experimented with countless instruments, bows, strings, and microphones as well as studio equipment, and learned to record the sound of an entire string ensamble on my own.

I have been fortunate enough to meet on my path other passionate people who, just like me, are looking for something more in their respective disciplines: luthiery, construction of recording equipment, building of studios, or mix and mastering. Today, after years of experiments, I know that I have reached my goal.

I present to you a new, but also somehow a deeply familiar sound of strings, as if it had merely been lost in time. A great number of elements have come together to produce this effect, including: an innovative playing technique, the choice of strings and microphones, the construction of the instruments and of the studio, as well as the custom-built, prototype recording equipment. A key factor is also the natural Pythagorean tuning A = 432 Hz.

Enjoy listening to the recordings, and if you are interested in cooperation — please feel free to contact me.

My name is Piotr H. Stawski. I am a professional violinist, viola player, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer. My life's mission is to search for a new, timbre of string instruments.

The love of music has run in my family for many generations, and it was my father who instilled in me the passion for the violin, while my grandfather would let me play the organs at the local church. My formal education in music began at first and second-degree music schools in my home city, Wrocław, followed by studies at the Music Academy in Warsaw, where I studied the violin with Prof. Zenon Bąkowski. Then, I mastered my skills as solist under Prof. Tadeusz Wroński (Indiana University, Bloomington, USA), and as chamber and orchestra musician under Uzi Wiesel (Israel Philharmonic Orchestra) as well as Albert Igolnikov and Samuel Magad (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, USA).

I have performed and gained professional experience playing with numerous Polish orchestras, including the National Philharmonic (concertmaster), the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster), the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera in Warsaw, the Polish Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia. In addition, I had the pleasure to perform with musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I have been on a plethora of concerts and tournees (Europe, North America, Asia). Furthermore, I have frequently performed on stage as solist and member of chamber and old music ensembles. Among others, I played the medieval fiddles in the early music ensemble Dekameron. During my stay in the US, I played with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band in Chicago. In 2024, I joined the Polish Zespół Reprezentacyjny music band, which plays mainly its own translations of the songs of bards such as Lluis Llach and George Brassens.

Furthermore, I have been active as a session musician for many years. I record solo parts and organize large ensembles for the needs of major productions. I have performed for numerous film, TV show and theatre soundtracks (including composed by award winning Polish composers like Jerzy Satanowski, Zbigniew Preisner, Michał Lorenc, and Wojciech Zieliński). I have also worked with pop, rock, and jazz artists and bands (e.g. Maryla Rodowicz, Edyta Geppert, Hanna Banaszak, Perfect).

My passion for music does not end with the violin. I am proficient in playing such instruments as medieval fiddles, guitars, mandolin, accordeon and keyboards. Moreover, I am interested in studio technology and recording live instruments focused on capturing the perfect natural sound with its full emotional content.