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Ensemble

 

Camerata Silesia is a renowned classical music ensemble from Poland that specializes in performing contemporary music and works by Polish composers. The group was founded in 1990 by Anna Szostak, a conductor and musicologist, and has since become one of the most respected and innovative ensembles in the country. The birth of Camerata Silesia can be traced back to the early 1990s, when Poland was undergoing a period of political and cultural transformation following the collapse of communism. Szostak, who had previously worked as a music critic and lecturer, saw an opportunity to create a new kind of ensemble that would showcase the best of contemporary Polish music and bring it to a wider audience. With this goal in mind, Szostak assembled a group of talented singers and musicians from the Silesia region of Poland, where she was based. The ensemble was initially called the Silesian Chamber Choir, but later changed its name to Camerata Silesia to reflect its growing reputation and expanding repertoire. From the outset, Camerata Silesia was committed to performing works by living composers, many of whom were little-known outside of Poland. The group's first major performance was in 1991, when it premiered a new work by the Polish composer Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki. The piece, entitled "Beatus Vir," was a huge success and helped to establish Camerata Silesia as a leading interpreter of contemporary music. Over the years, Camerata Silesia has continued to champion the work of Polish composers, including Pawel Lukaszewski, Wojciech Kilar, and Krzysztof Penderecki. The group has also collaborated with a number of international composers and performers, including Arvo Part, John Tavener, and the Kronos Quartet. One of the highlights of Camerata Silesia's career came in 1997, when the group performed at the prestigious Salzburg Festival in Austria. The ensemble's performance of Gorecki's "Symphony No. 3" was widely praised by critics and helped to raise the group's profile on the international stage. In addition to its performances, Camerata Silesia has also released a number of acclaimed recordings over the years. The group's first album, "Sacred Songs of Poland," was released in 1993 and featured works by Polish composers from the 16th to the 20th century. Since then, the group has released over a dozen albums, including "Lamentations," which won the Fryderyk Award for Best Classical Album in 2005. Camerata Silesia has also been recognized for its contributions to Polish culture and music. In 2000, the group was awarded the Gloria Artis Medal for Cultural Merit by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The following year, Szostak was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, one of Poland's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to music and culture. Despite its many achievements, Camerata Silesia remains committed to its mission of promoting contemporary Polish music and bringing it to a wider audience. The group continues to perform regularly in Poland and abroad, and has become a beloved institution in the country's cultural landscape.

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