Czech Virtuosi

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Host: Poznan Chamber Choir
(sbor)

The Poznan Chamber Choir combines the best Polish choral traditions with a passionate and open attitude towards art. The choir is celebrated both nationally and internationally for excellent musical renditions originating in its quest for the most profound sources of inspiration, ranging from lyrics, harmony, texture and form to the individual feelings of the conductor and choristers.

The choir was established in 2005 by Bartosz Michałowski - the long-standing assistant to Prof Stefan Stuligrosz, the founder of the famous Boys´ and Men´s Choir of the Poznan Philharmonic - The Poznan Nightingales. The conducting experience gained at numerous concerts with the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra played a crucial role in the establishment of his own choir, soon acknowledged by the organizers of prominent competitions and festivals.

A three-time winner of Grand Prix Awards at major choir competitions, the choir has also earned a number of special prizes for the best conductor, the best vocal technique and the best rendition of contemporary music. Moreover, the Poznan Chamber Choir took part in one of the most prestigious choral competitions in the world - the 11th International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf. In July 2010 the choir won the 1st Prize and the Audience Award at the 13th International Choral Festival in Neuchâtel (Switzerland) and performed at one of the most prestigious festivals in Europe - Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. In May 2011, as the first Polish choir, Poznan Chamber Choir performed with the legendary ensemble Concerto Köln. The programme of the joint concerts featured works composed by Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki.

The Choir has produced five CD recordings including an album with compositions by Feliks Nowowiejski (featuring the reconstruction and the world premiere of Ave Maria for 8 voices). In 2009 the world premiere recording of Radość Miłosierdzia (Joy of Mercy), the masterpiece by Jan Kanty Pawluśkiewicz, and the album comprising Jacek Sykulski's composition Wolności dla nas idzie czas (Freedom Comes time for Us) were released. In the same year, the choir produced its first independent CD - Anima aetheris. Furthermore, an album featuring traditional and jazz renditions of Karol Szymanowski's Kurpie Songs came out in 2010.

For four years the choir has been cooperating with Poznan Philharmonic performing a capella concerts and carrying out projects with the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra. Its broad repertoire is dominated by major choral works of contemporary composers from Poland (Łukaszewski, Jasiński, Penderecki, Górecki, Kilar and Bembinow and abroad (Lauridsen, Nystedt, Whitacre, Part). Furthermore, the choir performs Renaissance and Romantic compositions as well as various vocal - instrumental works from other epochs.