The Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1944. Its beginnings go back to numerous chamber and solo concerts given by musicians who after World War II established ties within Poland. The repertoire and artistic considerations, as well as the joy of making music together, led to a premiere chamber music concert, held on February 10, 1945 in the hall of the Music Society. This concert gave the impulse to extend the orchestra and a classical music gala was held on May 18 of the same year – which was at the same time the first symphony concert in post-war Poland. Performances in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Germany, South Korea, Denmark and Ukraine were acclaimed by music critics and the public. The Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic has attracted a glittering list of prominent conductors, such as Krzysztof Penderecki, Antoni Wit, Kazimierz Kord, Philippe Herreweghe, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Jan Krenz, and soloists: Sviatoslav Richter, David Oistrakh, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Wanda Wiłkomirska, Nigel Kennedy, Eugen Indjic, Rafał Blechacz, Kevin Kenner, Ingolf Wunder, Yulianna Avdeeva, Krzysztof Jakowicz, Roman Lasocki, Piotr Pławner, Bartłomiej Nizioł, Tomasz Strahl, Lukas Geniušas, Corina Marti, Vadim Brodski, Ilya Grubert, Georgijs Osokins and many others. Repertoire encompasses compositions from Baroque to contemporary music. Concert programs include works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Wieniawski, Bruckner, Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Stravinsky, Scriabin, Shostakovich, Lutosławski, Penderecki, and many others.  

Program:

Rossini, Overture to La Gazza Ladra

Grieg, Piano Concerto

Beethoven, Symphony No. 5

This event replaces the: Russian National Orchestra originally scheduled for February 12th that had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 U.S. entry vaccination requirements.

Free Parking will not be available at the Lewis Auditorium of Flagler College for this concert season. Free Parking will take place at the St. Johns County Council on Aging, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine FL 32084. Guests will then be transported to and from the concert venue by shuttle service free of charge. We hope you will take advantage of this new hassle free parking arrangement. This feature is included in the stated concert ticket price.