Performers

Founded in 1974 on the initiative of Karol Stryja, this one of Poland’s oldest philharmonic choirs inaugurated its activity during the Silesian Philharmonic’s 30th anniversary celebrations. The Choir’s first artistic director was Jan Wojtacha, an outstanding choirmaster who held that post until 2004. Already in its third year, the Choir took part in the Wratislavia Cantans festival, performing Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem with the Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. The choir has also appeared at such major music events as the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu, the Warsaw Autumn, the Händel-Festspiele Halle, the Poznań Music Spring, Łańcut Music Festival, the Organ Music Days in Gliwice, and the Krystyna Jamroz International Music Festival in Busko-Zdrój, as well as in Slovakia, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and the Vatican. Its repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to most recent works.

The Choir has recorded extensively for radio collections as well as record labels, including a release of Karol Szymanowski’s complete works for voices and instruments. Their 2013 recording of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki’s Broad Waters, Op. 39 was nominated for the Fryderyk Awards. In 2014 the Choir received the Honorary Golden Badge of Merit from the Silesian Province.

Since 2009 the post of the Choir’s artistic director has been held by Jarosław Wolanin.