The grand finale of Birmingham Classical 2025/26 welcomes back the esteemed Warsaw Philharmonic who last played at Symphony Hall in 1998. A cherished national institution established in 1901, it’s credited with establishing Warsaw as the country’s musical centre. Krzysztof Urbański is the latest in a succession of Polish chief conductors that has ensured the orchestra retains a distinctive national character.
It’s also spent its musical life bringing an authentic voice to Poland’s own composers, not least Witold Lutosławski whose delightful Little Suite is a musical snapshot of Polish folk culture, with its folksy fife tune and polka. Mid 20th-century composer Grażyna Bacewicz gained international recognition during her lifetime and her dancing scherzo for piano, now deftly orchestrated by Urbański, shows just why. From Poland’s most famous musical son, Fryderyk Chopin, we’ll hear his best-known Piano Concerto, performed by trailblazing pianist Alexandra Dariescu, one of today’s most exciting and charismatic musicians. Written when he was just 20 and premiered in Warsaw, its beautiful slow movement is pure, dreamy romance. Finally, Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony fizzes with energy from first to last. It’s a deservedly popular work and the perfect symphony to end this afternoon’s concert on a high.
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Running Times
Our performance running times are usually confirmed close to the show. Where available we'll post the times as soon as we can get them, so check back about a week before for updates. Performance running times are approximate and subject to change.
