Philharmonic Hall

Editor's review

One of the most important Polish musical institutions, the Karol Szymanowski Krakow Philharmonic Hall, is located in the very heart of historic Krakow, near the most beautiful part of the Planty green belt. Since the early days, the Philharmonic has been housed in a historic building of 1931, inspired by the famous Maison du Peuple in Brussels. The Krakow Philharmonic was established as the first one in Poland following World War II, and since 1962, it has had Karol Szymanowski, one of the most outstanding Polish composers, as its patron. In the space of the nearly 70-year history of the Institution, numerous eminent masters of the baton have led the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra: Zygmunt Latoszewski, Walerian Bierdiajew, Witold Krzemienski, Bohdan Wodiczko, Stanisław Skrowaczewski, Witold Rowicki, Andrzej Markowski, Henryk Czyz, Jerzy Katlewicz, Tadeusz Strugala, Gilbert Levine (USA), Roland Bader (Germany), Marek Pijarowski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Vladimir Ponkin (Russia), Tomasz Bugaj, Jan Krenz, and Pawel Przytocki. Today, Michal Dworzynski holds the post of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestra, with Bogdan Tosza acting as the Managing Director of the Krakow Philharmonic. The stage of the Krakow Philharmonic has hosted the most prominent symphonic and chamber ensembles from all over the world, including the Philadelphia Orchestra (E. Ormandy), Cleveland Orchestra (G. Szell), Suisse Romande (E. Ansermet), Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (M. Rosenthal, J. Martinon), Pittsburg Symphonic Orchestra (W. Steinber), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Z. Mehta), Leningrad Philharmonic Orchhestra (E. Mravinsky), Moscow Radio and Television Orchestra (G. Rozhdestvensky), Moscow Chamer Orchestra (R. Barshai), Bach Ensemble (J. Rifkin), Radio-Sinfonieorchester (Sir R. Norrington), Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and others. The current strong artistic position of Krakow Philharmonic is reflected in its every-day concert activity. Apart from the weekly symphonic concerts, the institution organizes other events, such as the University Concerts, held (since 1986) in the historic Neo-Gothic hall of the Jagiellonian University Collegium Novum. The philharmonic also offers master recitals, chamber concerts, and educational concerts, such as the Musica – Ars Amanda, a cycle of symphonic concerts, complete with a lecturer’s commentary, addressed to school children, as well as concerts for children or Child’s Play for the youngest music lovers. Since its inception, the institution has boasted an extensive structure of performers, comprising the Symphonic Orchestra as well as the Mixed Choir and Boys Choir, which is why oratorio works, from Johann Sebastian Bach through Krzysztof Penderecki, are a part of the Philharmonic’s standard repertoire. These oratorios are presented both in the concert hall as well as in Krakow churches, and during numerous international festivals of sacral music (the Philharmonic ensembles have performed in over 30 countries, including nearly all European states, Iran, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Lebanon, Turkey, and the USA).

Editor
Editor & Krakow Local