Andrzej Kosendiak

Recognised as a conductor who willingly reaches for both vocal and instrumental repertoire: cantatas, oratorios, masses and other works from various eras, symphonic music of the classical and early romantic periods, as well as early music performed on historical instruments.

He has established many artistic groups, including Collegio di Musica Sacra, NFM Choir, Wrocław Baroque Orchestra, NFM Boys’ Choir, NFM Girls’ Choir and Wrocław Baroque Ensemble, and he is also the founder of Leo Festival.

The maestro’s phonographic achievements include many award-winning and award-nominated albums. Thanks to his efforts, a phonographic project has been implemented that included recordings of great oratorio works. The albums have won the BBC Music Magazine Award twice and received the Diapason d’Or and the Editor’s Choice at the Gramophone magazine awards. Andrzej Kosendiak has also initiated the series 1000 Years of Music in Wrocław and Witold Lutosławski. Opera omnia. So far, the albums released under Kosendiak’s baton have won four Fryderyk awards, eight Fryderyk award nominations and three nominations for the International Classical Music Awards.

As a conductor, he performs with the ensembles of the National Forum of Music and other orchestras in and outside Poland. He has performed in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Norway, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, China, Thailand, and the United States.

He graduated from the Faculty of Composition, Conducting and Theory of Music of the Academy of Music in Wrocław. In the years 2001–2009, he was head of the Interdepartmental Early Music Studio, and in 2013 he obtained a postdoctoral degree; following this, in the years 2014–2016 he lectured at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk. In 2021, he received the title of professor, and he now teaches at his alma mater.

In 2005, he became director of the Wrocław Philharmonic and International Festival Wratislavia Cantans, leading changes in both these institutions and merging them into the Witold Lutosławski National Forum of Music, which he managed until August 2024. Currently he serves as artistic director of the Andrzej Markowski International Festival Wratislavia Cantans, artistic director of Wrocław Baroque Ensemble and artistic advisor to NFM director.

On his initiative, the Association of Polish Philharmonics was established, of which he was chair of the Management Board for three terms. In the years 2016–2019, he was vice-chairman of the Council for Artistic Institutions at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. He is also a member of the Music Programme Council at the National Institute of Music and Dance, and – since 2021 – of the University Council of the Wrocław University of Economics.

On his initiative, the Society of Polish Philharmonics was established, of which he was chair of the Management Board for three terms. In the years 2016–2019, he was vice-chairman of the Council for Artistic Institutions at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. He is also a member of the Music Programme Council at the National Institute of Music and Dance, and – since 2021 – of the University Council of the Wrocław University of Economics.

He is extremely active as an organiser of musical life and education. He has collaborated with the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague, Conservatorio di Musica “Luca Marenzio” in Brescia, Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón in Zaragoza, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University in North Carolina, Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk and the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław. In the years 1990–2000 he was an inspector for the Centre for Artistic Education, and in the years 2000–2001 he was director of the Department of Programming and Supervision of Artistic Education at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. He initiated such educational projects as Singing Wrocław, Singing Poland, Singing Europe international choir meetings and Mummy, Daddy, Sing to Me. Thanks to his support, all of the following were established: the Polish National Youth Choir, Choral Academy, Academy of Early Music (an annual festival combining masterclasses with concerts), Orchestra Academy (preparing musicians to work in professional ensembles), as well as the NFM Education Centre. He is also the founder of the Musica polonica rediviva programme, the aim of ​​which is to perform Polish music by young artists around the world with the support of conservatories and festivals.

Andrzej Kosendiak has received numerous awards and distinctions, including honorary state decorations. In 2024, Andrzej Kosendiak received the Gold Medal “For Merits to Culture Gloria Artis”.