Jerzy Maksymiuk

Jerzy Maksymiuk was born in Grodno. He holds diplomas in piano (Jerzy Lefeld’s class), composition (Piotr Perkowski’s class) and conducting (Bogusław Madey’s class).

In 1961, he won the first prize in the National Ignacy Jan Paderewski Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz. Conducting, however, soon became his principal career. In 1972, he founded the Polish Chamber Orchestra which was soon recognized by many critics as one of the best orchestras in the world. Under his baton, the PCO played concerts not only in Poland, but all around the world, including such prestigious halls and events as Carnegie Hall, London Proms or Wiener Ferein. Signing a contract with EMI record label opened the great conductor and his ensemble the door to even greater career.

In 1975, Maksymiuk became the first conductor of WOSPR and he toured with this important Polish orchestra with great success, both in Europe and USA. The years 1983-1991 is a period of his fruitful leading of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, several concerts and a tour with this ensemble (incl. Promenade Concerts in London). The title Conductor Laureate he received is recognition of his achievements in the BBC SSO. In 1990, Jerzy Maksymiuk started his cooperation with the English National Opera, where he conducted the premiere of "Don Giovanni" and "Revenge of the Bat". The following years were filled up with concerts in many prestigious halls, e.g. he conducted at the opening of the concert hall in Belfast. He worked with such renowned orchestras as: London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestre National de France and Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. He never stopped giving concerts in his home country, often collaborating with his favourite Sinfonia Varsovia.

His recordings include ca. 100 albums for EMI (13 records), Hyperion, Naxos, and other record companies. Many of them were honoured with prestigious awards, incl. Wiener Floeten Uhr for his interpretation of Mozart with PCO (1982), the Gramophone Award for "Best Concerto of the Year" (1992) with the recording of James Macmillan’s "The Confession of Isobel Gowdie", Hyperion for Medtner’s piano concerts (Nikolai Demidenko as a soloist) in 1995.

Maksymiuk has always promoted contemporary music and is a co-founder of the Polish Society for Contemporary Music. He participated in “Warsaw Autumn" (two "Orfeus” prizes) many times, and made first performances of about 200 contemporary works in various countries. In recognition of these achievements the Strathclyde University in Glasgow granted him a Doctor of Letters degree.

Elgar Society awarded him a gold medal for the promotion of Edward Elgar’s music.

Maksymiuk is also a composer (symphonic music, chamber compositions, film music). His latest works include an oratorio “Arbor vitae” (2003), a cycle of songs “The Red Moon” (2004), “Whispers and Scream of Dreams” for cello and chamber orchestra (2005), “Four Colours” – a concert for two violins and chamber orchestra (2006), “Strings of Life” for large orchestra, organ, percussion and church bells (2007), ”Norwidiana” (2008) for two sopranos, mezzo-soprano and orchestra, „A Song of The Blind Star” (2011) for string orchestra, piano and two clarinets, music for a silent movie “Mania” featuring Pola Negri – 85 minutes (2011), „Lament of the Heart” (2012) for orchestra and soprano, „Dedication” for large orchestra (2014), “Verse” (2014).

He is decorated with several prizes, including the Commander's Cross of the Polonia Restituta Order, Golden Scepter and “Gloria Artis” gold medal or Kamil Cyprian Norwid’s Prize for lifetime achievement.