The ensemble began its activities in February 1945 as the first Polish symphony orchestra established after the end of World War II. Over more than eighty years of artistic activity, the orchestra has been led by distinguished conductors, including B. Wodiczko, S. Skrowaczewski, W. Rowicki, A. Markowski, H. Czyż, J. Katlewicz, T. Strugała, M. Pijarowski, T. Bugaj, and J. Krenz. The Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra has made a particularly important contribution through its performances of works by Karol Szymanowski and Krzysztof Penderecki. For many decades, the ensemble has given regular concerts. The orchestra has performed in more than thirty countries, including Iran, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Lebanon, Türkiye, and the United States, as well as at international festivals such as Festival di Musica Contemporanea, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and Ravello Festival in Italy, Flanders Festival in Belgium, Festival Estival de Paris, Festival Europäischer Musik in Germany, Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland, Warsaw Autumn, and Wratislavia Cantans. The orchestra gives around fifty programmes each artistic season, and its extensive repertoire spans different eras, from Bach to contemporary works. The ensemble’s achievements include numerous premieres of works by 20th-century composers.
Adam Golec