Poland's NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra Names New Artistic Director

Russian-British violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky replaces outgoing Artistic Director Joseph Swensen

Poland's NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra's outgoing Artistic Director Joseph Swensen will retain a position with the ensemble as Principal Guest Conductor. In his place, Russian-British violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky will start in the position.

Born in Moscow into a musical family, Alexander Sitkovetsky relocated to the United Kingdom at the age of 8 to study the violin at the Menuhin School, where he performed alongside Yehudi Menuhin on several occasions. He has appeared as a soloist with a number of orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Konzethausorchester Berlin, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

He is also much in demand as a director and has performed with smaller groups in this capacity — including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the London Mozart Players, and Camerata Zürich.

An enthusiastic chamber musician, Sitkovetsky is a founding member of the Sitkovetsky Trio, and also a permanent member of the Julia Fischer Quartet.

"I am very proud to have been chosen as the new Artistic Director of the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra," Sitkovetsky said. "I am grateful to NFM Director Andrzej Kosendiak, the Orchestra Manager Agata Adamczyk and this wonderful group of musicians for entrusting me with this responsibility."

"As we move towards the 50th Anniversary of this storied Ensemble, I am honored to have the opportunity to take on the mantle of my esteemed predecessors and guide the Orchestra into the future. We can’t wait to share the passion and quality of our performances with audiences in Wroclaw, Poland, and around the world."

“We have great hopes for further development of the orchestra," said Andrzej Kosendiak, the orchestra's Director. "We wish the musicians, the new Artistic Director and the audience wonderful experiences at the concerts in the coming seasons."