Agnieszka Duczmal

Agnieszka Duczmal
"Above all Duczmal has an inquiring mind that never takes the music at face value. She shapes and shades the phrasing of her orchestra with striking originality [...]".
The Independent, London (Great Britain)
"She is short and lively and she is always like a flame."
Walls Journal (Great Britain)
"Agnieszka Duczmal [...] is first rate creation of orchestral colors."
The Village Times (USA)

Born into a family of musical traditions, she studied conducting with Prof. Witold Krzemiński at the State Higer School in Poznań, graduating with honours. After her studies, she worked as an assistant conductor in the State Philharmonic in Poznań, the - as a conductor - in Poznań Opera, where she prepared among others, the Polish premiere of B. Britten's opera Midsummer Night's Dream. While still a student in 1968, she formed a chamber orchestra which was transformed in 1977 into the Polish Radio and Television Chamber Orchestra, and since 1988 has performed as the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio.

Since its foundation, Agnieszka Duczmal has been the managing and artistic director of the orchestra. In 1970, Duczmal won the 1st National Competition for conductors in Katowice. Five years later, she received a honourable mention in the 4th International Herbert von Karajan Conducting Competition in West Berlin. In 1976, she and her orchestra won the Silver Medal of Herbert von Karajan in the International Encounters of Young Orchestras in West Berlin. In 1982, she received the "la donna del mondo" ("Woman of the World") award if Saint Vincent International Centre of Culture in Rome, granted under the auspices of UNESCO and the Italian President for outstanding achievements in the fields of culture, science and social activity. Duczmal was also the first woman conductor to perform in Milan's La Scala. together with the "Amadeus" Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio, Duczmal has given concerts in 33 countries in Europe, both Americas and Asia, in the world's most famous concert halls, with eminent soloists. She has recorded 8 LPs, 35 CDs, and over 7500 minutes of music for the Polish Radio. The Polish Television has recorded 110 concerts and programes featuring the Orchestra. Duczmal has also co-operated with the media abroad, including, among others, NDR, WDR, SFB, BBC in London, CBC in Montreal, the Mexican Television and the French Television.