The most famous Polish female conductor. In 1971, she graduated with distinction from State Higher School of Music in Poznań, where she studied conducting with Professor Witold Krzemiński. In 1968, while still a student, Agnieszka Duczmal founded a chamber orchestra, which in 1977 became Polish Radio and Television Chamber Orchestra, and later, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of Polish Radio. From the beginning of the Orchestra’s operation, Agnieszka Duczmal has been its managing and artistic director.
Agnieszka Duczmal was given honourable mention at 4th Herbert von Karajan International Conducting Competition. With Amadeus Orchestra, she won silver Herbert von Karajan Medal at International Young Orchestra Meeting in 1976. In 1982, she was awarded the title of La Donna del Mondo [Woman of the World] bestowed for outstanding cultural, artistic and social achievements by Saint Vincent International Culture Centre in Rome in asso ciation with UNESCO and the President of Italy. The first woman conductor to have performed at Milan’s La Scala.
To date, she has released over fifty records with Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of Polish Radio, has recorded countless pieces for the Polish Radio, Polish Television and foreign institutions. Agnieszka Duczmal‘s artistic achievements include, e.g. the first recording of J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations in J. Koffler’s transcription for chamber orchestra or premiere performance as St Matthew Passion by K. Knittel. For her own ensemble, she has transcribed many musical masterpieces, incl. Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Agnieszka Duczmal travels extensively with her Orchestra to perform with world class soloists in prestigious concert halls all around the world. She has sat on the jury of such national and international music competitions.
In recognition of her artistic work and activity Agnieszka Duczmal has been awarded numerous prizes and distinctions, such as recently: Award of the Society of Authors ZAIKS for the Promotion of the Polish Contemporary Music (2016), Award on the occasion of 100 years of ZAIKS (2018) or the prestigious Golden Fryderyk Award of the Polish Phonographic Academy for her achievements in the classical music (2018). In 2021, Maestra received the prestigious Polish Radio award – Diamond Baton for outstanding conducting achievements and making Polish music famous abroad.
