Sinfonietta Cracovia is a top-class ensemble, which also displays the precision and flexibility characteristic of a chamber ensemble when in a symphony lineup. The beginning of the Sinfonietta Cracovia is closely connected to the establishment of the Młodzi Kameraliści Krakowscy orchestra. In 1994, when the high level of skills and engagement of the musicians combined with the freshness of interpretation and kind support of Maestro Penderecki and his wife Elżbieta won the ensemble the status of municipal orchestra, it became the Sinfonietta Cracovia Orchestra of the Royal Capital City of Kraków, a name it uses to this day.
Since then, Sinfonietta has cooperated with a multitude of eminent artists from all over the world, notably Krzysztof Penderecki, Antoni Wit, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Lorin Maazel, Valery Gergiev, Rafael Payare, Gábor Boldoczki, Rudolf Buchbinder, Ilya Gringolts, Richard Galliano, Mischa Maisky, Xavier de Maistre, Maxim Vengerov, Tabea Zimmermann, and Grigori Zhislin.
For 20 years, Robert Kabara, a consummate violinist, cellist, and teacher, built the image of the orchestra. With Kabara at the helm, Sinfonietta Cracovia developed its individual style, achieved one success after another, and made numerous recordings. In 2001–09 the orchestra’s First Guest Conductor was John Axelrod. Jurek Dybał, a musician of the Vienna Philharmonic and manager of cultural life, began writing a new chapter in the life of the orchestra in July 2014. Thanks to the efforts of its new director, the orchestra became involved in many innovative projects, gradually growing into one of the most dynamic European ensembles, appreciated especially for its masterful performances of contemporary music.
Among Sinfonietta Cracovia’s major recent achievements are the Polish premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki’s new Concerto for trumpet and orchestra in the series of world premieres with Gábor Boldoczki, and the recording with the trumpet player of the album Oriental Trumpet Concertos (Sony Classical) under Jurek Dybał.