Szczecin Philharmonic

The new building of the Szczecin Philharmonic is an exceptional facility of international format.

The authors of this inventive architectural project – Fabrizio Barozzi and Alberto Veiga from the Spanish studio Estudio Barozzi Veiga, won the international competition for the concept design of the new facility for Szczecin Philharmonic’s musicians. Their design won against 40 other designs provided for the competition. The inspiration for its design was the organ.

The new seat of the Szczecin Philharmonic was erected at the junction of two streets, Małopolska and Matejki, at the plot where 130 years ago the Concert House (Konzerthaus) commenced its activity. From 1884 it served as the city's musical center. The building was severely damaged during warfare, and in 1962 it was finally pulled down.

The climate and atmosphere of the interior are an undeniable asset of the new facility. The structure is expressive and consistent with minimalistic use of means of expression. Outside facade of the new Philharmonic in Szczecin is formed with white glass and vertically arranged rectangular aluminum profiles, discontinued only in the place of scarce window and door openings. The authors designed a two-layer facade of the building, in which 25 thousand LED light fittings are hidden. Effects of this may be admired especially at night, when the building glows with a subtle light. Architects have also planned colorful illumination of the building's facade that enables creation of various light scenarios, used for special events and occasions.

The Szczecin Philharmonic is famous for its concert halls. Two concert halls have been incorporated into the four-storey space of different heights developed with a cathedral-like panache. The symphony hall, that may accommodate 953 persons and the chamber hall with 192 seats.

For the first time the building of the Philharmonic in Szczecin filled with music in September 2014. This was the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Szczecin’s music experience.

The symphony hall was entirely finished with wooden and wood-based materials. Rich geometry of golden walls and ceilings, covered with schlagmetal petals gives the interior a golden glow, enriched with stunning light reflections. Shimmering with a golden light the symphony hall was given the name of the sun hall. The form as well as the cubic capacity of the symphony hall were subordinated to high acoustic requirements. World’s best concert halls were used as models: Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Symphony Hall in Boston and Musikvereinssaal in Vienna.

Concerts of chamber music and recitals are performed in the small hall of the Philharmonic which thanks to its classical simplicity and dominant black color of finishing elements was given the name of the moon hall. The small hall, similarly to the symphony hall, has a cuboid shape of fixed acoustic parameters. It was entirely finished with wood and wood based materials. The small hall, with floor area of 225 square meters, may accommodate 192 spectators. The hall’s stage (approx. 77 square meters), which may accommodate a 30-person orchestra, was also equipped with a piano trapdoor.

Did you know that during 70 years of uninterrupted history, the Szczecin Philharmonic has hosted the best musicians, not only from Poland but also from around the world.

The Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra has played with, among others: Krystian Zimerman, Mischa Maisky, Kevin Kenner, Maurizio Pollini, Rafał Blechacz, Bruce Liu, Kaja Danczowska, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Bomsori Kim, Alena Baeva, Jan Lisiecki, Anastasia Kobekina, Yuliana Avdeeva, Seong-Jin Cho, Jakub Józef Orliński, Yeol Eum Son, Ingolf Wunder, Szymon Nehring, Aleksandra Kurzak, Roberto Alagna, Gautier Capuçon, Ning Feng, Anastasia Kobekina, Narek Hakhnazaryan, Guy Braunstein, Nemanja Radulović, Isabelle Moretti and Veriko Tchumburidze. The Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra was also conducted by excellent conductors: Jerzy Maksymiuk, Antoni Wit, Krzysztof Penderecki, Stefan Asbury, Karol Teutsch, Leopold Hager, Agnieszka Duczmal, Wayne Marshall, Łukasz Borowicz, Andrzej Boreyko, Troy Miller, Tigran Akhnazarian and many, many others.

The Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra consists of nearly one hundred musicians of all generations, who play both an ambitious classical repertoire and participate in innovative music projects crossing the boundaries of genres. The Philharmonic Orchestra can also boast of many CD recordings, of which all the symphonic works by Mieczysław Karłowicz, the patron of the Philharmonic, are particularly close to them, recorded on five CD albums.

During the 75 years of its history, the Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra has been invited by many excellent music scenes. The orchestra played in the famous Herbert von Karajan hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, many time at the Warsaw Philharmonic and on stages in Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Bulgaria, as well as in Italy, the Netherlands and France.

Did you know that by joining ILYO you also give yourself a chance to get involved in the Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra? The Orchestra invites especially talented ILYO members to its ranks during selected concerts, some of them even became its permanent members :)