Description of the attraction
The National Philharmonic is a Polish cultural institution, opened in 1901 in a building designed by the architect Karl Kozlowski.
The building was modeled after 19th century European concert halls and opera houses. The greatest similarity is noted with the building of the Parisian Grand Opera, where elements of eclecticism with the influence of neo-baroque - such a popular style in Europe of that period - were also used in the decor. The sculptures that adorn the facade of the building were made by Vladislav Mazur and Stanislav Lewandowski. The official opening of the Philharmonic took place on November 5, 1901, where the orchestra under the direction of pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Emil Mlynarski performed a program of works by Polish composers.
Before the outbreak of the war, the Philharmonic Orchestra became famous on the European music scene, and from 1927 the orchestra began to accompany in the finals of the Chopin International Piano Competition.
The Second World War interrupted the work of the Philharmonic. In 1939 it was burned down during the siege of Warsaw. During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, the building was destroyed during military bombing.
The new building of the Philharmonic was built in the post-war years under the guidance of architects Yevgeny Shparkovsky and Henry Bialobrzeski. The refined decor was lost, the building received a completely different restrained appearance. The new concert hall could accommodate 1,072 spectators. The opening of the Philharmonic took place on February 21, 1955, and was timed to coincide with the anniversary pianist competition. In the same period, the Philharmonic was awarded the title of National.
Since 2002, the musical director of the Philharmonic is the Polish conductor Antoni Wit.
