The inaugural event was the 5th International Chopin Competition, which was won by Polish pianist Adam Harasiewicz.
The opening of the newly-restored venue in 1955 was a milestone in the history of the Warsaw Philharmonic, which goes back to November 5, 1901. It was on that day that the orchestra gave its first concert in the newly-commissioned hall. It was conducted by Emil Młynarski, its first Music Director, and featured Ignacy Jan Paderewski as the soloist.
Within a relatively short time, the Warsaw Philharmonic achieved high artistic standards and played an active role in the European music circuit. Its reputation was enhanced by guest performances of the world’s most renowned musicians of the early 20th century and the inter-war period, including Sergey Rachmaninov, Claudio Arrau, Eduard Grieg, Sergey Prokofiev, Vladimir Horowitz, Artur Rubinstein, Pablo Sarasate, Igor Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, and Maurice Ravel.
Soon after the outbreak of World War Two, the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall was bombed and towards the end of the hostilities it was reduced to rubble. The orchestra resumed its activities shortly after the war, initially performing in the city’s theatres and sports halls.
Krzysztof Owczynik of the Warsaw Philharmonic’s Promotions Department has told the PAP Polish Press Agency that the long list of world-renowned performers and conductors who have appeared before the Warsaw audience includes Krystian Zimerman, Martha Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, Joshua Bell, Teresa Berganza, Aram Khachaturian, Charles Dutoit, Philippe Herreweghe, Nigel Kennedy, Evgeny Kissin, Lorin Maazel, Yehudi Menuhin, Anne-Sophie Mutter, David and Igor Oistrakh, Maurizio Pollini, Mstislav Rostropovich, Isaac Stern, Leopold Stokowski, and Henryk Szeryng. Countertenor Jakub Jóef Orliński and jazzmen Leszek Możdżer, Adam Makowicz, and Tomasz Stańko also performed at the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall.
The Warsaw Philharmonic has made almost 140 tours in five continents, with performances in the world’s most prestigious venues.
In September 2024, Krzysztof Urbański took up the post of the orchestra’s artistic director.
(mk)