The Warsaw Philharmonic - The National Orchestra and Choir of Poland, which celebrated its centenary in 2001, is one of the oldest musical institutions in Europe. It was created thanks to the initiative of a group of Polish aristocrats and financiers: Natalia, Stefan and Stanisław Lubomirski, Maurycy and Tomasz Zamoyski, Władysław Tyszkiewicz, Leopold Julian Kronenberg (son of the founder of the Bank of Commerce) and, from the musical world: Ludwik Grossman, Emil Młynarski, Aleksander Rajchman, Marian Sokołowski, and others. The architect Karol Kozłowski designed the building in the Viennese Secession style, modelling it on the Paris Opera. The first concert was held on 5 November 1901 and presented the music of Polish composers. Emil Młynarski, the co-founder, musical director and principal conductor of Warsaw Philharmonic, conducted the orchestra; the soloists were Wiktor Grąbczewski (bass) and Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the world famous pianist, composer and future statesman. From 1901 to 1939, the Warsaw Philharmonic was Poland's foremost cultural center, soon becoming one of the leading musical establishments in Europe.
The Second World War interrupted the Philharmonic's activity: the building was destroyed and about half of the musicians perished. It reopened for the 1947-1948 season. The building was reconstructed in a totally new style and completed in 1955: on 21 February it inaugurated the season for the first time since the war within
its own walls and received the title of the National Orchestra of Poland. In the years that followed, the orchestra grew in size and an organ was installed in the Concert Hall. A professional choir was also formed, founded by Zbigniew Soja.
As of January 2002, Maestro Antoni Wit has taken over the post of Artistic and General Director of the Warsaw Philharmonic - The National Orchestra and Choir of Poland.
The Warsaw Philharmonic building has two halls: the main concert hall with 1072 seats and the chamber music hall with 378 seats. The Warsaw Philharmonic has since its inception remained Poland's leading musical institution. Under the new Artistic Director Maestro Antoni Wit, the Warsaw Philharmonic is maintaining a high artistic level and ranks among the leading European symphony ensembles. It is a place for people wishing to immerse themselves in music of the best quality, as well as a place for meetings of the representatives of the international cultural, social and political establishment.
Concerts
Today both the Warsaw Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and the Choir enjoy world-wide popularity and recognition. The orchestra has made over 100 tours on five continents and it is made up of 112 top-ranking musicians and 100 choral singers. It has performed in all the major concert halls, winning applause from the audiences and critics for their charismatic music making. It has taken part in many international festivals - in Vienna, Berlin, Prague, Bergen, Lucerne, Montreux, Moscow, Brussels, Florence, Bordeaux and Athens. The Orchestra regularly participates in the International F. Chopin Piano Competitions and the Warsaw Autumn Festival. It also makes recordings for the Polish Radio and Television, Polish and international record companies, and records film music. The artistic achievements of the Warsaw Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra have frequently been rewarded with prestigious record awards.
Each season, the Philharmonic gives over 80 symphony concerts, more than 50 chamber music concerts and a special series of concerts for children, featuring the Orchestra as well as guest symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles, both Polish and foreign. The Philharmonic also organises music programmes throughout the country, especially for schools and smaller cultural centres to promote classical music and educate the young generation.
Apart from outstanding Polish artists, the Warsaw Philharmonic has hosted many eminent artists from all over the world, among them: Hermann Abendroth, Martha Argerich, Kathleen Battle, Teresa Berganza, Gary Bertini, Herbert Blomstedt, Aram Chachaturian, Charles Dutoit, Philippe Entremont, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Nigel Kennedy, Aram Khachaturian, Igor Markevitch, Kurt Masur, Yehudi Menuhin, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Midori, Anne-Sophie Mutter, David Oistrakh, Maurizio Pollini, Svyatoslav Richter, Helmuth Rilling, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Mstislav Rostropovich, Arthur Rubinstein, Isaac Stern, Leopold Stokowski, Henryk Szeryng, Igor Stravinsky, Pinchas Zukerman and many others.
Contact Details & Tickets
T: (+48 22) 551 7128 / (+48 22) 551 7188 - Tickets Information
T: (+48 22) 551 7130 / (+48.22) 551 7131 - Booking Office
T: (+48 22) 551 7149 (10AM-3PM) - Ticket Reservations
Concert Hall:
entrance from Sienkiewicza St.
Chamber Hall:
entrance from Moniuszki St.
