by tskzOn 19 June 2025, A grand final concert of the World Jewish Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Gergely Madaras took place in the main hall of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław, which was filled with an enthusiastic audience. This was the culmination of the International Educational and Cultural Project organised as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2025.
The project which lasted from 14 to 20 June 2025, gathered together 80 talented young musicians of the Jewish origin from Poland, Europe, Israel, United States and Asia. During five days of intense artistic workshops, participants worked with outstanding mentors and prepared for a joint performance with the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Madaras.
The musical program – “Timeless Masterpieces” – included classical and contemporary works showcasing the richness of Jewish culture and the universal power of music:
- Henryk Wieniawski – Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22
- Wolfgang Amadeusz Mozart – Don Giovanni: Crudele … Non mi dir
- Jacques Fromental Halévy – La Juive – Il va venir
- Avi Avital – Avi’s Song
- Gioachino Rossini – Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce poco fa
- Giacomo Puccini – Tosca – Vissi d’arte
- Marc Lavry – The Three Jewish Dances: Sher, Yemenite Wedding Dance, Hora
- Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor
The soloists included world-class artists: Guy Braunstein (violin) – the youngest violinist in the history of the Berlin Philharmonic, who took up the position of concertmaster and helped develop the orchestra for over a decade, Aleksandra Kurzak (soprano), one of the world’s best sopranos, awarded the Golden Cross of Merit and the Golden Medal for Merit to Culture Gloria Artis, and Avi Avital (mandolin), the first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a Grammy Award.
The concert attracted a large audience and received excellent reviews from concert-goers and music experts. The performance was not only an artistic success, but also a symbol of intercultural dialogue and cooperation between artists of the young generation.
Hosts and Partners
The project was implemented by the Social and Cultural Association of Jews in Poland as part of the Artistic Education Program of the Polish Presidency of the EU 2025, co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund – a special-purpose state fund. The Originator and Art Director of the World Jewish Philharmonic & Maestro Gergely Madaras is Marlena Grodzicka-Myślak.
The project participation is free of charge – The hosts provided accommodation and meals for all participants, and the only cost they had to pay themselves was the travel to Wrocław. Thanks to this initiative, young artists had the opportunity to develop their skills, establish international contacts, and jointly create a unique musical project with educational, artistic, and social elements.
Photo by Martin Zych
