Wrocław Philharmonic Choir is a mixed choir working under the direction of Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny since its foundation in 2006 by Andrzej Kosendiak. It has quickly established itself as a leading force in the Polish choral music scene, having a dynamic profile as both an acclaimed a cappella consort, exploring a wide repertoire, and as an oratorio and symphonic  chorus for large scale collaborations, most frequently with the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra.

Recent projects have included partnerships with established groups such as The Gabrieli Consort and the NDR Orchestra. With these ensembles they have appeared at venues throughout Europe such as the Salle Pleyel in Paris and the Barbican Centre in London and at festivals such as Schleswig-Holstein and Flanders. It was the first Polish choir to be invited to appear at the legendary BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. A sold out performance of Haydn’s Creation led to an immediate re-invitation to appear at the 2011 festival where they joined forces again with The Gabrieli Consort to perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah, with a lineup of soloists including Simon Keenleyside.

Known for its adventurous and exciting programing, the Choir has worked with Paul McCreesh, Jacek Kaspszyk, Krzysztof Penderecki, James MacMillan, Łukasz Borowicz, Mike Brewer and Bob Chilcott. They recently provided the chorus and soloists for performances of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas conducted by the baroque specialist Christian Curnyn and premiered two productions with Wrocław Opera House.

The choir makes frequent appearances on the radio, both in Poland and abroad. Choir’s first recording  was F. X. Richter’s Messe pastorale de Noël conducted by Andrzej Kosendiak. A recording  of a gargantuan performance of Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts was premiered In autumn 2011. In September 2011 a resident ensemble at Wratislavia Cantans Festival, made its debut appearance at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany, and was awarded for an exceptional performance of Bach’s motets on the Varaždin Baroque Evenings in Croatia. Further recording projects include first CD of an a cappella Polish choral music and a recording with Bob Chilcott.

 
CHOIR MEMBERS:

SOPRANO         

Aldona Bartnik
Paulina Boreczko-Wilczyńska
Małgorzata Ciężka-Kątnik
Monika Kuczera
Patrycja Kujawa
Monika Michaliszyn
Agnieszka Niezgoda
Karolina Pasierbska
Dorota Słabolepszy
Violetta Wysocka-Marciniak

 
ALTO

Magdalena Garbacz
Aleksandra Hruby
Bianka Maxim
Marta Mączewska
Ewa Pieronkiewicz
Ewelina Wojewoda
Ewa Wojtowicz
            

TENOR           

Marcin Belcyr
Jakub Bieszczad
Jarosław Kawałko
Andrii Khorsik
Bartłomiej Kusior
Jacek Rzempołuch
               

BASS

Maciej Adamczyk
Marek Fras
Krzysztof Kmieć
Marcin Kowalski
Dominik Kujawa
Michał Mikosza
Jan Pieter
Michał Pytlewski
Piotr Woroniecki

"The preparation of the Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny’s Choir was excellent; the choir carried out its musical task perfectly."

"Fortified by additional singers from the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir, excellent Gabrieli Consort and Players had extra punch."

"The composer’s abandonment of opera in favour of the expressive possibilities of choral singing was well served by a large chorus comprising the combined forces of the Gabrieli Consort and the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir […] the size and resonance of the voices thrillingly filled the auditorium at the big moments."

"Afterwards, all the choruses were fully convincing – dramatic, with clarity in polyphony and with layered shades of dynamics – in Parts Two and Three of the oratorio. Evidently it took two choral numbers for the combined Gabrieli Consort and Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir to settle."

"McCreesh also supplemented the Gabrieli Consort with fourteen singers from Poland's Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir, which gave the chorus a more flavoursome (and slightly less English) sound. Though the four voice sections blended well, each also possessed its own unique qualities. The sopranos' top notes were superbly rounded, whilst the altos produced a highly textured sound. The tenors possessed a quiet understated strength, their voices burning with passion from within, whilst the basses were cool, calm and reflective."

Listen to Wrocław Philharmonic Choir:

A.Bruckner - Ave Maria

C.Cardrew - Three Kings

P.Wishart - Alleluya, A New Work Is Come On Hand

R.Twardowski - Regina Coeli

	Jacek Rzempołuch Manager mob. +48 728 939 174 tel. +48 71 79 21 006 fax +48 71 79 21 006 jacek.rzempoluch@nfm.wroclaw.pl
	David Clegg Consultant to the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir Suggests programmes, conductors and soloists from the UK and participate in the auditions to the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir and the Wratislavia Cantans Festival Choir.