The Filharmonia Pomorska im. Ignacego Jana Paderewskiego / Ignacy Jan Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic today numbers among Poland's leading music institutions. It possesses two full-time artistic ensembles: the ORKIESTRA SYMFONICZNA FILHARMONII POMORSKIEJ / SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE POMERANIAN PHILHARMONIC, created in 1946, and the CAPELLA BYDGOSTIENSIS PRO MUSICA ANTIQUA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, formed in 1962 as one of the first ensembles in Poland to perform early music on early instruments or replicas thereof. The Pomeranian Philharmonic has a history tat dates back more than half a century. Within these fifty years, the date of November 16, 1958, stands out as especially important as it marks the first concert ever held in the Philharmonic's new home, built through the efforts of Andrzej Szwalbny, the Philharmonic's director of many years.
The activities of the Pomeranian Philharmonic span concerts of symphonic and chamber music, as well as recitals by outstanding virtuosos from around the world. The performing ensembles of the Pomeranian Philharmonic have also produced many recordings for commercial release and toured internationally numerous times. Additionally, such composers as Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Wojciech Kilar, Boguslaw Schaeffer, Romuald Twardowski and Zbigniew Penherski have written orchestral works specifically for the Philharmonic's ensembles.
The Pomeranian Philharmonic's core activities include organizing two festivals. These are the BYDGOSKIE FESTIWALE MUZYCZNE / BYDGOSZCZ MUSIC FESTIVALS (since 1963) and the "MUSICA ANTIQUA EUROPAE ORIENTALIS" INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (held every three years since 1966), which are supplemented by numerous congresses focusing on musicology and Slavic studies.
During its more than fifty-year history, the Pomeranian Philharmonic has hosted many grand artistic events involving both its home ensembles and invited guests. Some concerts featuring world famous musicians have proved unprecedented on a national scale. The Philharmonic's stage in Bydgoszcz has played host to the likes of Artur Rubinstein, Benjamin Britten, Karol Małcużyński, Luciano Pavarotii, Shlomo Mintz, Mischa Maisky, Kevin Kenner, Kurt Masur, Kazimierz Kord, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Antoni Wit and many others. Recent years have seen the institution host a number of outstanding orchestras and ensembles, including the BBC Radio Symphony Orchestra, the NARODOWA ORKIESTRA SYMFONICZNA POLSKIEGO RADIA / POLISH RADIO NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, the King's Singers, the Tallis Scholars, the Westminster Abbey Choir and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
The concert hall of the Pomeranian Philharmonic boasts excellent acoustics, rendering it an exceptional recording venue. The Philharmonic has capitalized on this asset producing numerous musical recordings and participating in the recording projects of professional music publishers. The Pomeranian Philharmonic's building also hosts numerous meetings and symposiums organized by universities, banks and corporations. The institution and its ensembles play an active role in events of historical significance to the city, region and country.
Polish Music Information Center Polish Composers' Union January 2002 | |
Filharmonia Pomorska im. Ignacego Jana Paderewskiego
ul. Andrzeja Szwalbego 6
85-080 Bydgoszcz
Region: kujawsko-pomorskie
Phone: (+48 52) 321 04 67
Fax: (+48 52) 321 07 52
WWW: www.filharmonia.bydgoszcz.pl
Email: sekretariat@filharmonia.bydgoszcz.pl