Jerzy Maksymiuk

Jerzy Maksymiuk (born 9 April 1936) is a Polish composer, pianist and orchestra conductor. Maksymiuk was born in Grodno, Second Polish Republic (now Belarus). He studied violin, piano, conducting and composition at the Warsaw Conservatory. In 1964 he won first prize in the Paderewski Piano Competition. Conducting soon became his principal career. While working at the Warsaw Grand Theatre, he formed the Polish Chamber Orchestra, which made its British debut in 1977 and has subsequently toured all over the world. Between 1975 and 1977 Jerzy Maksymiuk also held the post of Principal Conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 1993, he became principal conductor of the Krakow Philharmonic. From 1983-1993, Maksymiuk was Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO), with which he appeared each season at the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts in London. Together, they have made many overseas tours. He is now the BBC SSO's Conductor Laureate. In Britain, Maksymiuk has also conducted the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the BBC Philharmonic, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and The Philharmonia. In addition he has conducted many orchestras in Europe, the USA and Japan, Australia and Israel. In April 1990 he was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Strathclyde University. His recordings include the first uncut performance made in the West of Paderewski's massive Symphony in B minor "Polonia", which he has also performed in concert in Poland.