Filharmonia Poznańska im. Tadeusza Szeligowskiego / The Poznań Philharmonic was created in 1947 on the initiative of Tadeusz Szeligowski, a Poznań-based composer who was also the institution's first director. The Philharmonic's concert hall is the auditorium of Adam Mickiewicz University, known throughout Europe for its excellent acoustics and beautiful architecture.
As one of the most renowned symphony orchestras in Poland, the Orchestra of the Poznań Philharmonic performs at some of Poland's most important musical venues and often embarks on international tours. The Philharmonic has performed under such masters of the baton as Herman Abendroth, Roberto Benzi, George Georgescu, Eugene Ormandy, George Szell, Carlo Zecchi, Jose Serebrier, Marco Erede, Enrico de Mori. It has accompanied soloists who have included class artists like Artur Rubinstein, Igor and David Oistrakh, Marta Argerich, Rugiero Ricci, Henryk Szeryng, Mstislav Rostropovich, Malcolm Frager, Edward Auer, Monique Haas, Jean Fournier, Sviatoslav Richter, Gidon Kremer, Maurizio Pollini, Krystian Zimerman, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Narciso Yepes, and a number of famous Polish singers, including Stefania Toczyska, Ewa Podles, Ryszard Karczykowski, Wiesław Ochmann and others.
The orchestra had the honor of accompanying participants of the first post-World War II edition of the Konkurs Chopinowski / Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Since 1952 it has been the chief accompanying orchestra for finalists of the Międzynarodowy Konkurs Skrzypcowy im. Henryka Wieniawskiego / Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition in Poznań. It is also the host symphony for Poznań's music festivals, including the Poznańska Wiosna Muzyczna / Poznań Musical Spring and Dni Muzyki i Teatru / the Days of Music and Theatre. Additionally, the orchestra regularly takes part in the Warszawska Jesień / "Warsaw Autumn" and Wratislavia Cantans festivals.
The Orchestra of the Poznań Philharmonic frequently offers world premiere performances of contemporary works by Polish and foreign composers. It has also produced numerous recordings of symphonic, operatic and ballet music for radio, television and for commercial release.
The Poznań Philharmonic is home to a number of musical groups, including the Symphony Orchestra, the Chór Chłopięcy i Męski "Poznańskie Słowiki" / "Poznań Nightingales" Boys' and Men's Choir directed by Professor Stefan Stuligrosz and numerous chamber ensembles.
In chronological order, the orchestra has been lead by Tadeusz Szeligowski, Stanisław Wisłocki, Jerzy Katlewicz, Robert Satanowski, Witold Krzemieński, Zdzisław Szostak, Renard Czajkowski, Wojciech Rajski, Wojciech Michniewski, Andrzej Borejko, Mirosław Jacek Błaszczyk, José Maria Florencio. From 2009 the new conductor of the orchestra is Marek Pijarowski
The Orchestra of the Poznań Philharmonic has appeared in concert in Austria, Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Holland, France, Iceland, Lithuania, Germany, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg and Turkey. It has participated in numerous festivals, including the Romaeuropa - Villa Medici Festival, the Kissingen Sommer, the Ankara Sanat Festivali, the Festwochen in Herrenhausen, the Bregenzer Frühling and the Dresdner Musikfestspiele. Jointly with the choir of Professor Stefan Stuligrosz, the musicians of the Poznań Philharmonic performed a celebratory concert before Pope John Paul II at the Vatican; the two groups also appeared in concert at the Catholic University of Leuven at a ceremony during which this institution awarded an honorary doctorate to Tadeusz Mazowiecki.Source: Polish Music Information Center, Polish Composers' Union, January 2002.