A First for Poland: Introducing Karłowicz FEST
An unprecedented musical event in Poland. From 11 to 19 December, the Szczecin Philharmonic will play host to Karłowicz FEST – a nine-day celebration featuring almost the entire oeuvre of our visionary patron and one of the titans of Polish music, Mieczysław Karłowicz. Launching exactly on the 150th anniversary of his birth, the festival offers far more than world-class concerts. It is an immersive journey into the life of the man behind the music, exploring his deep creative sensibilities, his pioneering mountain photography, and his lifelong passion for the Tatras.
World-Class Concerts, Exhibitions, and Family Events
We are thrilled to welcome an extraordinary lineup of acclaimed soloists, renowned Polish orchestras, and outstanding conductors to the Szczecin Philharmonic stage. Alongside spectacular symphonic evenings, the festival will feature engaging educational events for young music lovers, expert-led panel discussions, and an exclusive exhibition of Karłowicz’s stunning mountain photography. While his music is a cornerstone of our regular repertoire, this landmark anniversary is the perfect moment to showcase his immense artistic legacy and share the story of his fascinating, yet tragically short life.
The Father of Modern Polish Symphonic Music
Born on 11 December 1876, Mieczysław Karłowicz was just 32 when his life was cut short by an avalanche in his beloved Tatra Mountains. Despite his youth, he left behind a breathtaking body of work that forever transformed the landscape of Polish classical music.
His contemporaries were quick to recognise his genius. The great composer Karol Szymanowski lamented that Karłowicz's untimely death shattered "the most brilliant hopes of young Polish music," praising him as the first in the country to truly master the grand, complex machinery of the modern orchestra and breathe a truly modern soul into it. Conductor Grzegorz Fitelberg went even further, stating that had Karłowicz lived longer, his revolutionary orchestral style would be celebrated universally alongside the greatest Western masters of his era. Decades later, Witold Lutosławski noted that Karłowicz single-handedly dragged Polish symphonic music out of isolation, setting world-class standards that resonate to this day.
Join Us this December
Whether you are a seasoned concertgoer or discovering classical music for the very first time, Karłowicz FEST promises an unforgettable experience.
Join us this December at the Szczecin Philharmonic and be part of music history!
