The 7th edition of the Witold Lutosławski National Competition for Young Conductors, organized by the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic – Stanisław Moniuszko European Centre for the Arts in Białystok, will begin on May 15th. This prestigious musical event, which significantly expands our institution’s repertoire, is comparable nationally only to the Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conducting Competition in Katowice. This year, 24 young aspiring conductors will compete in Białystok for the title of best conductor.

The competition has a rich tradition – the project was initiated in 1994 by Professor Mirosław Jacek Błaszczyk – for the first three editions it functioned as a national review, later becoming an international competition and in the latest, sixth edition, it resumed the format of a national competition. Its aim is to present and promote young Polish conductors beginning their artistic careers. It is also an excellent opportunity to promote the work of Polish composers among conducting students and the Competition’s Patron, Witold Lutosławski.

Previous editions of the OKMD have attracted dozens of candidates. Its laureates are recognized in the cultural world as outstanding artistic figures. Just to mention names such as Krzysztof Urbański, Michał Nesterowicz, Tomasz Tokarczyk, Tomasz Chmiel and Jan Miłosz Zarzycki, who now perform in the world’s most famous concert halls. It is important to emphasize that the young masters of the baton are judged by renowned Polish conductors and professors from music universities, guaranteeing the selection of conductors presenting the highest artistic skill. The first prize for this year’s winner of the competition in Białystok will be participation in next year’s 11th Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conducting Competition in Katowice and for all laureates, the opportunity to perform with the best Polish symphony orchestras.

The most recent, sixth edition of the Witold Lutosławski National Competition for Young Conductors took place in the fall of 2016. The winners were Maciej Koczur (1st place), Dawid Runtz (2nd place), and Mateusz Czech (3rd place). This year’s competition is scheduled for mid-May (May 15-20, 2022). The opening concert (May 15) and the laureates’ concert (May 20) will be held in the ZSM Concert Hall at 2 Podleśna Street, while the open auditions (May 16-19) will be held on the Main Stage at 1 Odeska Street.

Competition Schedule:

OPENING CONCERT
May 15, 2022, 7.00 PM
ZSM Concert Hall, Podleśna Street 2

Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra
Mirosław Jacek Błaszczyk – conductor
Rafał Dudzik – violin
Katarzyna Budnik – viola

Programme:
K. Meyer – Hommage à Johannes Brahms for orchestra, Op. 59
K. Penderecki – Double Concerto for violin, viola, and orchestra
W. Lutosławski – Symphonic Variations

COMPETITION AUDITIONS (free admission!)
May 16-19, 2022
Main Stage of OiFP, Odeska Street 1

Stage I (May 16-17)
10.00-11.30 AM
12.00-1.30 PM
6.00-7.30 PM
8.00-9.30 PM

Stage II (May 18-19)
10.00 AM-12.00 PM
6.00-8.00 PM

WINNERS’ CONCERT
May 20, 2022, 7.00 PM
ZSM Concert Hall, Podleśna Street 2

Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra
OKMD Winners