This year, for the first time, the ORLEN Main Hall will host a gala concert bringing together the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra, led by its artistic director, violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, and Krzyżowa-Music – an international chamber music festival, whose artistic director is violinist Viviane Hagner. This extraordinary event will feature outstanding works: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C major for violin, cello, and piano op. 56; Wojciech Kilar’s Orawa; Samuel Barber’s famous Adagio for Strings; and a magnificent aria from Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantata Ich habe genug BWV 82, performed by, among others, tenor Mark Padmore. At the heart of the programme will be a chamber music gem: Robert Schumann’s brilliant Piano Quintet in E-flat major op. 44. 

The International Chamber Music Festival Krzyżowa-Music is taking place this year for the twelfth time in Lower Silesia: in Krzyżowa, as well as in Świdnica, Jawor, Szczawno-Zdrój, and Wrocław. Outstanding artists of our time, and these have included Alfred Brendel, Krzysztof Jabłoński, Andrea Lucchesini, Midori, Olli Mustonen, and Tabea Zimmermann, meet with the most talented young musicians from around the world. Together, they work on a rich and fascinating repertoire of chamber music – from Bach to contemporary music – presenting these works during numerous workshops and concerts. Artists with various perspectives and diverse cultural roots seek common ground in Krzyżowa and learn from each other, striving for perfect sound.

But it is much more than a festival. Krzyżowa is a historically significant place for meetings and reflection: during World War II, a group of courageous individuals created a vision of a peaceful Europe there – the same Europe that today allows us to build international friendship and understanding across borders by uniting musicians from all corners of the globe. A key element of the project is inspiring artists to recognise their social responsibility and reflect on how they can be role models in a wider society.