Performers
Stage 4 – Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra
Filharmonia Poznańska. Fot. K. Zalewska
One of the most famous and recognised Polish symphonic ensembles, the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra performs at major music centres at home and abroad. It has toured almost all European countries, and performed at several major international music festivals, such as Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival, Wratislavia Cantans or Bergen Festival. The main symphonic orchestra of the Poznańska Wiosna Muzyczna [Poznań Music Spring] festival, it often gives première performances of pieces by contemporary Polish and foreign composers. In existence since 1947, the ensemble has performed with such world-famous conductors, as Christopher Hogwood, Reinhard Goebel, Sir Neville Marriner, Paul McCreesh, Stanisław Skrowaczewski or Carlo Zecchi, and with such illustrious soloists, as Martha Argerich, Piotr Beczała, Rafał Blechacz, Helen Donath, Jean Fournier, Ida Haendel, Philippe Jaroussky, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Aleksandra Kurzak, Witold Małcużyński, Garrick Ohlsson, David and Igor Oistrakhs, Gerhrad Oppitz, Ewa Podleś, Maurizio Pollini, Samuel Ramey, Vadim Repin, Sviatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Artur Rubinstein, Maxim Vengerov, Wanda Wiłkomirska, or Krystian Zimerman.
The PPO has made numerous recordings for the radio and television, as well as for such record labels, as Sony Classical, Polmusic, Wichtel Records, Polskie Nagrania, Muza, Largo Records, Dux, CD Accord, or Naxos. The ensemble’s Music Director is Marek Pijarowski (appointed in the 2007/2008 artistic season), and Łukasz Borowicz holds the position of its First Guest Conductor.
Marek Pijarowski – Chief Conductor of Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra
Marek Pijarowski. Fot. A. Hoffmann
Graduate of Tadeusz Strugała’s class of conducting at the Academy of Music in Wrocław, he mastered his skills under Arvid Jansons, and Prof. Karl Österreicher at the famous Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna. Managing and Artistic Director of the Wrocław Philharmonic between 1980 and 2001, in years 2002-2005 he was Artistic Director of the Łódź Philharmonic and Principal Conductor of the Cracow Philharmonic. In 2007/2008 season he became Chief Conductor of Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra.
Łukasz Borowicz – The Principal Guest Conductor of the Poznań Philharmonic
Łukasz Borowicz. Fot. J. Mielniczuk
The Principal Guest Conductor of the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra (since 2006) is a graduate of Academy of Music in Warsaw; this is also where he was conferred a doctorate in conducting. Between 2005 and 2006 he was assistant to Kazimierz Kord at the Teatr Wielki-Opera Narodowa, and earlier (2002-2005) – to Antoni Wit at the Filharmonia Narodowa. In years 2007-2015, he was Artistic Director of the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Winner of conducting competitions and holder of numerous artistic awards.