The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra was established in 1935 in Warsaw by Grzegorz Fitelberg, its leader until the outbreak of World War II. In 1945 the orchestra was revived in Katowice by Witold Rowicki, and in 1947 Fitelberg returned as artistic director. After his death in 1953 the orchestra was headed in succession by Jan Krenz, Bohdan Wodiczko, Kazimierz Kord, Tadeusz Strugała, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Stanisław Wisłocki, Jacek Kaspszyk, Antoni Wit, Gabriel Chmura and, once again, Jacek Kaspszyk. In September 2000 Joanna Wnuk-Nazarowa was appointed general and programme director and Michał Klauza became associate conductor. Stanisław Skrowaczewski holds the title of first guest conductor of the PNRSO, Jan Krenz is an honorary director and the artistic advisor is Jerzy Semkow. At the beginning of the season 2012/2013, Alexander Liebreich will become artistic director and chief conductor. Apart from making archival recordings for the Polish Radio, the orchestra has recorded more than 200 CD albums for many renowned record companies (including Decca, EMI, Philips, Chandos, and Naxos), with awards including the Diapason d’Or and Grand Prix du Disque de la Nouvelle Académie du Disque, Cannes Classical Award, and Midem Classical Award. The orchestra has collaborated with many distinguished conductors and soloists and performed in concert throughout the world.

For further information, please visit the orchestra’s website.

Photo courtesy of Krystyna and Aleksander Rabij