Conductor, composer and pianist. Born in Grodno. He graduated from the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw. His musical studies were crowned with three diplomas with distinction: in piano (J. Lefeld’s class), composition (P. Perkowski’s class) and conducting (B. Madey’s class). In 1961 won 1st prize at the I. J. Paderewski National Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz, but abandoned piano performance to pursue conducting. In 1972, he founded the Polish Chamber Orchestra (since 1984 known as Sinfonia Varsovia), which was soon recognized by many critics as one of the best orchestras in the world. The ensemble has given concerts under his direction all over the world in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the London Proms, the Wiener Musikverein and, of course, in Poland. The success was also a contract with EMI. In 1975, he became Principal Conductor of the Polish Radio Grand Symphony Orchestra (twice touring Europe and the United States). The years 1983-1991 were a fruitful period a director of the BBC Scottish Sypmhony Orchestra, with many concerts and tours with that ensemble (including the Promenade Concerts in London). The title of Conductor Laureate awarded to the artist is a tribute to his achievements with this ensemble. In 1990, he began his collaboration with the English National Opera, where he conducted the premiere performances of W.A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni and J. Strauss’s Die Fledermaus.. The following years were filled with concerts in many prestigious venues, including conducting the opening concert at the Belfast Philharmonic. His credits include concerts with such renowned orchestras as the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. He also regularly performed in Poland, often with the Sinfonia Varsovia, which he distinguished himself with. He has recorded approximately 100 albums, including for EMI (13 discs), Hyperion, and Naxos. Many of these albums have won prestigious awards, including the Wiener Flötenuhr for his interpretations of Mozart with the Polish Chamber Orchestra (1982), the Gramophone Award for Best Concerto of the Year (1992) for his recording of J. MacMillan’s The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, and in 1995 the Hyperion Award for N. Medtner’s piano concertos (soloist N. Demidenko). He is a popularizer of contemporary music. He is one of the founders of Polish Contemporary Music Society. He has participated frequently in the International Festival of Contemporary Music Warsaw Autumn (two Orpheus Awards) and has premiered approximately 200 contemporary works in various countries. In recognition of these contributions, he was awarded the title of Doctor of Letters by the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. The Elgar Society awarded him a gold medal for popularizing the music of E. Elgar. The artist is also a composer (symphonic music, chamber compositions, balet, songs, film music). The last compositions are including: the oratorio Arbor vitae (2003), the song cycle Red moon (2004), Whispers and the Scream of Dreams – a piece for cello and chamber orchestra (2005); Four colors – concert for two violins and chamber orchestra (2006); Strings of Life – for large orchestra, organ, precussion and church bells(2007); Norwidiana – for two sopranos, mezzosoprano and orchestra (2008); A song of The Blind Star – for string orchestra, piano and two clarinets (2011); music for the silent film Mania with P. Negri – 85min (2011), Heart’s Lament for orchestra and soprano (2012); Dedication for large orchestra(2014); Wers (2014). He has been awarded, among others, the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. He was also honored with the Golden Sceptre and the Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Merit to Culture. He is a recipient of the C.K. Norwid Award for lifetime achievement. He also holds the title of SuperWiktor and Honorary Citizen of Białystok. On October 19, 2016, he received an award from the Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, J. Leszczyński, for lifetime achievement in the field of artistic creativity.