The Space for Beauty

The National Forum of Music is institution of culture which operates the state-of-the-art multifunctional concert venue of the same name located in the historic centre of Wrocław. This performing arts organization was established on 22 May 2014 through merging the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans and the Wrocław Philharmonic. Andrzej Kosendiak, director of the NFM, has been one of the proponents and authors the new performing arts organization and the new venue. 

The new history of NFM started in 2015. Huge, exceptional building became a musical showcase of Wroclaw - European Capital of Culture 2016. 

The foyer, covered with black and white Corian, brings to mind the piano keyboard. 

The first Polish orchestra in Wrocław after World War II was established just after the downfall of the Festung Breslau by musicians coming to settle down in Wrocław from various parts of Poland. In the ruined city, the artists established themselves as an ensemble under the direction of Stefan Syryłło. 

The longest running music festival devoted to polish contemporary music after the Warsaw Autumn. The festival was founded by three members of the Polish Composers’ Union (ZKP): Radomir Reszke, Tadeusz Natanson, and Ryszard Bukowski. The festival has been organized by the Wrocław branch of the union.

 Wratislavia Cantans is a feast of music, in which the main part is played by the human voice. The Festival presents the human voice in different forms and genres, and in various performance makeups – from vocal recitals, through consort performances, down to choral and oratorio music involving dozens of singers.  The festival is intended to present works in all musical styles, created in various music centres in all epochs of history. Wratislavia Cantans is a synonym of the highest quality in respect of performance and governance.

Located at the heart of Wrocław, the NFM building is now part of the historic centre. It is situated in today’s Plac Wolności, previously known as the Royal Forum where in the 19th century a Forum of Arts was envisaged but never went beyond the planning stage as a place for state ceremonies.

Director of the National Forum of Music, artist, conductor and pedagogue, Andrzej Kosendiak has earned an enviable reputation as one of the most active and committed musicians and organizers of music life in Poland. He graduated from the Department of Composition, Conducting and Music Theory of Wrocław Music Academy. In 2013 he obtained the academic degree of doctor habilitatus. In 2005 he became Director of the Wrocław Philharmonic and the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans.

Jazztopad Festival in Wrocław has rapidly become one of the most significant events in the jazz calendar of Poland and Central Europe. The trademark of the festival, organized by NFM, are the world premieres – projects and compositions written to special order of the organizers by most prominent artists of contemporary improvised music. During Jazztopad jazz spreads all over the city: from concert halls, through cinemas to private homes.

The NFM Choir was founded in 2006 by Andrzej Kosendiak and since its inception functions under the directorship of Agnieszka Frankow-Żelazny. In a short space of time it has established itself as one of Poland’s leading choral ensembles, thanks to its rich and varied repertoire, which includes works from the Renaissance to the contemporary, and a cappella to vocal-instrumental in the form of oratorio, opera, and the symphony

The Lutosławski Quartet performs contemporary music as well as recently commissioned pieces, and focuses on popularizing Polish music, including works by Lutosławski, Bacewicz, Szymanowski, and also compositions by one of the group members – Marcin Markowicz. An ensemble made up of versatile and open-minded artists, they blend the contemporary repertoire with the gems of classical, Romantic and jazz music.

The National Forum of Music Education Centre is a new initiative designed with the youngest children in mind. We organize classes for expectant mothers, infants, kindergarten children and young schoolchildren. The Education Centre was born from love of music and from our deep conviction that everyone needs music. This is the most beautiful and most universal art form. Music teaches, moves our emotions, develops, relaxes, cures  and provides extraordinary experiences. 

Small figurines that first appeared in the streets of Wrocław, Poland, in 2001. Since then, their numbers have been continually growing, and today they are considered a tourist attraction. In 2001, to commemorate the Orange Alternative (anti-communist movement), a figurine of a dwarf (the movement’s symbol) was officially placed on Świdnicka Street, where the group’s happenings used to take place. Now in front of the NFM we can find a whole orchestra!