Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has worked with over 140 orchestras in 23 countries, including extended engagements with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Ankara and the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
He has served as the music director of several leading Polish ensembles, such as the Polish Radio Orchestras in Katowice and Warsaw, as well as the symphony orchestras of Kraków and Wrocław. The city of Wrocław, in southwestern Poland, remains particularly close to his heart—not only did he study conducting there, but he also led two major international events for many years: the Wratislavia Cantans Festival and the Chopin Festival in the nearby town of Duszniki-Zdrój.
Among the many outstanding soloists who have performed under Strugała’s baton are Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, Austrian pianist Paul Badura-Skoda, Russian cellist Natalia Gutman, Polish-British violinist Ida Haendel, British cellist Steven Isserlis, and British pianist John Lill.
In addition to his conducting career, Strugała has been a dedicated educator, teaching at the Music Academies in Wrocław and Kraków, as well as leading masterclasses in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
His numerous honors include the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Gold Gloria Artis Medal for Cultural Merit, an honorary doctorate from the Wrocław Music Academy, and Polish Radio’s Diamond Baton.
Strugała also owns an impressive collection of conducting batons, featuring over a hundred unique specimens from various countries. This collection has been exhibited in several cities in Poland and abroad.
Source: X/Filharmonia Kielce
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