The Podlasie Philharmonic Orchestra is a classical music ensemble based in Białystok, Poland. It was founded in 1977 as the Podlasie Symphony Orchestra, and has since become one of the most renowned orchestras in Poland. The founding of the Podlasie Symphony Orchestra was the result of a collaboration between the Białystok Philharmonic and the local government. The aim was to create a professional orchestra that would serve the cultural needs of the region. The first conductor of the orchestra was Tadeusz Wojciechowski, who led the ensemble until 1981. Over the years, the Podlasie Philharmonic Orchestra has had many notable conductors, including Jerzy Maksymiuk, Wojciech Rajski, and Marek Pijarowski. The current artistic director and chief conductor is Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski, who has been with the orchestra since 2015. The orchestra is made up of over 80 musicians, including string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players. Many of the musicians are graduates of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, one of the most prestigious music schools in Poland. The Podlasie Philharmonic Orchestra has performed in many prestigious venues around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. The orchestra has also collaborated with many renowned soloists, including pianist Krystian Zimerman, violinist Nigel Kennedy, and cellist Mischa Maisky. One of the highlights of the orchestra's history was its performance at the 2006 Beethovenfest in Bonn, Germany. The orchestra performed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony under the baton of Marek Pijarowski, with soloists including soprano Aga Mikolaj, mezzo-soprano Ewa Marciniec, tenor Piotr Beczała, and bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny. The performance was met with critical acclaim, and was later released on CD. The orchestra has also won many awards and accolades over the years. In 2010, it was awarded the prestigious Gloria Artis medal for its contribution to Polish culture. The orchestra has also been nominated for the Fryderyk Award, the most prestigious music award in Poland, several times. In addition to its performances, the Podlasie Philharmonic Orchestra is also involved in many educational and outreach programs. The orchestra runs a music school for children and young people, and regularly performs concerts for school groups and other community organizations. Overall, the Podlasie Philharmonic Orchestra is a world-class ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of Poland and beyond. With its talented musicians, renowned conductors, and commitment to education and outreach, the orchestra is sure to continue to inspire and delight audiences for many years to come.

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