Sinfonietta Cracovia – Sinfonietta per Sinfonietta

The Album Sinfonietta per Sinfonietta is a compilation of the studio recordings of the awarded pieces in the International Composition Competition “Sinfonietta per Sinfonietta”, under the honorary patronage of Krzysztof Penderecki, during the years 2015−2020. There are pieces by composers from six countries, some of them already with splendid international careers, performed by Sinfonietta Cracovia under the baton of Jurek Dybał. The idea behind the competition was to enhance the repertory for string orchestra and to allow the creators to have their compositions played and recorded − both live from the concerts and as studio audio documentations. Composers of all origins and backgrounds were required to write a piece dedicated to Sinfonietta Cracovia in the form of a Sinfonietta to be premiered at the orchestra’s own annual event – the Sinfonietta Festival. The pieces were carefully selected in an anonymized process by the jury consisting mostly of renowned composers under the honorary patronage of Maestro Penderecki. His active involvement in the competition encouraged over 200 composers to take up the challenge. The laureates had a great opportunity to meet the Maestro in person at the laureate concerts held in his attendance and some of them during the rehearsals. In their own words, it was a life-changing moment. The last two Sinfoniettas on the Album, awarded with the highest prize ex æquo in 2020 were written already after the competition patron’s death, as a homage to him. In the 4th number the core string section of the Sinfonietta Cracovia is enhanced by violin and cello concertante and in the numbers 6 and 7 by percussion. It was meant as an official introduction and a celebration of the purchase of the new (and in the case of violin and cello historical) instruments for the orchestra. Number 5, entitled Jubilee Sinfonietta per Sinfonietta, was written in the 25th year of the orchestra’s existence. During the competition years 2015-2021 (the 2021 laureates are not included on the Album) the following works were selected by a jury panel consisting of Chairperson: Joanna Wnuk-Nazarowa, René Staar, Eugeniusz Knapik, Marcel Chyrzyński, Jerzy Kornowicz, Adam Wesołowski, Jurek Dybał, and Elżbieta Penderecka (Honorary Chairperson).