Established in 1969, the Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic Chorus consists of 51 permanent members, engaging additional singers whenever necessary. Since the 2011/2012 season, it has been led by Dawid Ber, a renowned choral director with extensive experience in conducting diverse vocal ensembles. The Chorus has a rich and varied repertoire, both performed a capella and with chamber or symphony orchestras, and encompassing many genres, styles, and epochs of music, including several dozen oratorios and cantatas, early music works, as well as carols in traditional and modern arrangements, jazz songs, and Negro spirituals. 

The Chorus boasts of having performed at the Wratislavia Cantans Festival in Wrocław, Gaude Mater in Częstochowa, and the Alexandre Tansman International Festival and Competition of Musical Personalities. This season, it returned to sing at the closing concert of the Bydgoszcz Music Festival organized by the Pomeranian Philharmonic. The Chorus also regularly appears at the Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic’s “Colours of Poland Touring Festival.” Together with the ARPO, the Chorus participated in the “Oratorium Dance Project,” an artistic and educational initiative which won the 2011 “Energia Kultury” (“Energy of Culture”) and “Złota Maska” (“Golden Mask”) awards. Celebrating its 45th season in 2014, the Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic Chorus received the “Gloria Artis” Golden Medal of Merit for Culture. 

The Chorus has toured extensively abroad, including France, Belgium, and Austria. Among its recordings are Alexandre Tansman’s vocal-instrumental pieces, as well as a more recent DUX CD with Lutosławski’s works for voices and instruments, which was nominated for the 2015 “Fryderyk” award. Contemporary sacred music performed by a chamber ensemble comprised of members of the Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus was released on an album entitled “Dona nobis pacem,” which is a recording of a 2014 concert held in the Łowicz Cathedral Basilica.

fot. Dariusz Kulesza