"Why conducting? You had to choose something," said Marek Pijarowski, one of Poland's masters of the baton, celebrating his 75th birthday this year, in an interview with Polish Radio 2. For years, the artist was associated with the Wrocław Philharmonic (he was its general and artistic director in the years 1980–2002), and later with the philharmonics in Łódź, Kraków, and Poznań. He has given concerts home and abroad with all Polish philharmonic and radio orchestras, and has for years taught conducting at the Academy of Music in Wrocław. With half a century of artistic success under his belt, he emphasizes that conducting has nothing to do with power, warns his students not to disturb the orchestra, and constantly looks to the future: the most important concert of his life is the one yet to come. During the anniversary meetings at the Kraków Philharmonic, Marek Pijarowski will conduct its orchestra in César Franck's Symphony in D minor and Johannes Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, in which the solo part will be performed by Piotr Alexewicz, laureate of the 5th prize in the last Chopin Competition.

Johannes Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83
* * * 
César Franck Symphony in D minor 

Piotr Alexewicz – piano
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra
Marek Pijarowski – conductor

In the photo: Marek Pijarowski, photo by Łukasz Rajchert