MARIUSZ SMOLIJ
Mariusz Smolij is considered one of the most accomplished conductors of his generation. Praised by The New York Times for “compelling performances,” he has led over 140 different orchestras in 28 countries on four continents. Among others, he held titled conducting positions with the Houston Symphony, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, National Forum for Music in Wrocław, Poland, International Wratislavia Cantans Festival and International Lipiński Violin Festival and Competition in Poland. He recorded and produced a long line of CDs for Naxos, Universal and Hungaroton and collaborated with leading musicians of our times including Yo-Yo Ma, Luciano Pavarotti, Joshua Bell, Cleveland Quartet and Juilliard Quartet. His recording of music by Polish woman composer Grażyna Bacewicz received Fryderyk Award (Polish Grammy equivalent) and in 2019 the President of Poland awarded him the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his promotion of Polish culture. Maestro Smolij has been Music Director and Conductor of Riverside Symphonia since 1994.
Born near Katowice, Poland, Maestro Smolij is an accomplished violinist. Founder of the internationally recognized Penderecki String Quartet, he performed and recorded with this ensemble in Poland, Germany, France, Italy and the United States. After studies in Europe he studied conducting in the United States, earning a doctoral degree from the Eastman School of Music.