warsaw philharmonic choir
began its activity in 1952 under Zbigniew Soja and gave its first performance a year later under the direction of Witold Rowicki. Its successive artistic directors were Roman Kuklewicz (1955-71), Józef Bok (1971-74) and Antoni Szaliński (1974-78). Since 1978 the Choir's Artistic Director has been Henryk Wojnarowski.
The repertoire of the Warsaw Philharmonic Choir includes over 150 oratorios and choral a cappella works, covering many periods and styles, with special attention given to Polish music, notably the works of Krzysztof Penderecki. Some of the most noteworthy performances have been recorded for Polskie Nagrania.These include Penderecki's St Luke Passion (a Grammy nomination) and all of Penderecki's a cappella works.
Highlights in the Choir's activity have included invitations to perform in the opera productions at Milan's La Scala (Atem by F. Donatoni, 1986; Weber's Oberon, 1989; Beethoven's Fidelio, 1990).
The Warsaw Philharmonic Choir has appeared with such renowned orchestras as the Munich Philharmonic, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the rias Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker, and the symphony orchestra in Tel Aviv.
In 1988 and 1990 the Choir took part in gala concerts in the Vatican to mark the anniversaries of the start of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II (broadcast by all European tv stations).
On 7 December 2001 the Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, together with the Warsaw Philharmonic - the National Orchestra of Poland, and soloists, conducted by Kazimierz Kord, performed Wojciech Kilar's Missa pro pace in the Vatican, as a tribute to the Pope and a dedication to peace.