The Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra ceremonially named after Jerzy Semkow

 “The concert inaugurating the new artistic season of the Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra is a special and very significant event, as it opens a new chapter in the great history of this ensemble, which from now on will bear the name of Maestro Jerzy Semkow.” With these words, Minister Wanda Zwinogrodzka, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, welcomed the audience of the National Philharmonic on the 8th of October to the inaugural concert of the Orchestra’s 11th artistic season.

The ceremony was attended by Mrs Colette Semkow, wife of the late Maestro Semkow. Associated with music for years, she is carrying on the work of her late husband, actively supporting young musicians (with particular emphasis on Polish artists) at the Jerzy Semkow Foundation.   For her involvement in the affairs of the Polish music community and the promotion of Polish culture, Colette Semkow was presented with the Honorary Medal of Merit for Polish Culture by Minister Wanda Zwinogrodzka, awarded by Prof. Piotr Gliński, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
The concert programme included The Fairy Tale Fantastic Overture by Stanisław Moniuszko, Violin Concert in E minor, op. 64 by Felix Mendelssohn and Symphony in E minor, “Rebirth”, Op. 7 by Mieczysław Karłowicz. The orchestra was conducted by Maestro Mirosław Jacek Błaszczyk, with Maestro Krzysztof Jakowicz playing solo.