POLISH ORCHESTRA SINFONIA IUVENTUS

The Polish Orchestra Sinfonia Iuventus was established at the initiative of one of the most outstanding Polish conductors, Jerzy Semkow. The Orchestra consists of the most talented graduates and students of art schools who have not yet turned 30, and playing in this wonderful ensemble provides them with an invaluable opportunity to gain the necessary experience and artistic inspiration through contact
with talented peers and the most distinguished conductors and soloists. The results of this work are often reflected in enthusiastic reviews, such as this one by Anna Woźniakowska after the Krakow concert conducted by Jerzy Swoboda with Tomasz Strahl as soloist ('Ruch Muzyczny' 20/2011): 'Both Concerto in B minor [Dvořák], and Symphony in C minor [Brahms] received possibly the most perfect form. Attention was drawn to the way of conducting the musical narrative, the skillful
and precise construction of dramatic tension, focus, and romantic emotion, to which these elements the orchestra – very well collaborating with the conductor and soloist – contributed with youthful sensitivity
and passion.' Sinfonia Iuventus began its artistic activity in June 2008. It has collaborated with outstanding conductors such as: Michał Jurowski, John Axelrod, Gabriel Chmura, Antoni Wit, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Krzysztof Penderecki, Rafael Payare, Tadeusz Strugała, Charles Dutoit, Kazimierz Kord, Jerzy Salwarowski, George Tchitchinadze, Jan Krenz, Grzegorz Nowak, Tadeusz Wojciechowski, Maxim Vengerov, Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski, Julian Rachlin, and soloists, among whom were Yulianna Avdeeva, Abdel Rahman El Bacha, Alena Baeva, Claudio Bohórquez, Łukasz Długosz, François-René Duchâble, Lukas Geniušas, Krzysztof Jabłoński, Jakub Jakowicz, Alexander Kniazev, Andrei Korobeinikov, Bartosz Koziak, Ivan Monighetti, Janusz Olejniczak, Piotr Paleczny, Patrycja Piekutowska, Jadwiga Rappé, Jan Stanienda, Agata Szymczewska, Tatiana Szebanowa.

The orchestra has produced a number of recordings for Universal Music, CD Accord, DUX, Warner Classics, Polish Radio S.A., Albany Records, and TVP Kultura. A special place in the orchestra's discography is held by two albums with symphonic repertoire (Schubert, Tchaikovsky) recorded under the baton of Jerzy Semkow. The collaboration with conductor Krzysztof Penderecki resulted in the release of several of his works, including a complete set of symphonies (2012) and an album
with clarinet, flute, and I Concerto grosso (2014). These releases were honored with the International Classical Music Award in 2014 and 2016. The ensemble's repertoire also includes recordings with conductors and soloists such as: Gabriel Chmura (Strauss, Françaix, Debussy), Tadeusz Wojciechowski (Chopin), Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski (Chopin), Mariusz Patyra (Wieniawski), Ivan Monighetti (Haydn), Agata Szymczewska (Bruch, Wieniawski, and Mendelssohn), George Tchitchinadze, and Monika Wolińska (Bacewicz).

The orchestra has performed on many concert stages and at numerous festivals in Poland and abroad, in Austria, China, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. Since April 2009, the orchestra has been a member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras (EFNYO). In November 2013, Krzysztof Penderecki took on the Honorary Artistic Patronage of the Orchestra. In September 2015, the Artistic Council of the Polish Orchestra Sinfonia Iuventus was established, consisting of: Prof. Tomasz Miczka (Chairman), Jacek Kaspszyk, Michał Jurowski, Łukasz Borowicz, and Przemysław Fiugajski.

Michał Jurowski is the First Guest Conductor of the Orchestra. The director of the institution is Anna Koźbielna, appointed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, while the position of Artistic Director is held by Prof. Dr. Hab. Mirosław Jacek Błaszczyk.