Szczecin Philharmonic - home of ILYO
Each year, one of the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra’s concerts takes place at the Szczecin Philharmonic – the orchestra’s artistic home since the very beginning of the project in 2013. In 2026, ILYO will return to this iconic venue on September 4, 2026, continuing a tradition that has become an essential part of the orchestra’s identity.
The Szczecin Philharmonic is far more than a concert hall. Its striking, modern building is regarded as one of the most remarkable examples of contemporary architecture not only in Poland, but worldwide. Awarded the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award, the Philharmonic is celebrated for its bold design and exceptional acoustic quality. Two concert halls – seamlessly integrated into a four-storey interior of varying heights – create a space of almost cathedral-like grandeur.
The heart of the building is the symphony hall, which seats 953 listeners, complemented by an intimate chamber hall with 192 seats. Entirely finished in wood and wood-based materials, the symphony hall captivates audiences with its rich geometry and golden surfaces. Walls and ceilings covered with shimmering schlagmetal petals reflect light in warm, radiant tones, giving the interior its distinctive glow and earning it the poetic name the Sun Hall.
Every architectural and spatial detail of the symphony hall was designed to meet the highest acoustic standards. Renowned venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Boston Symphony Hall, and the Musikverein served as reference points during its creation. It is in this exceptional concert hall that all ILYO tutti rehearsals take place, allowing young musicians to experience symphonic music-making at the very highest level.
Although the current Philharmonic building opened its doors in September 2014, the institution itself has been an integral part of Szczecin’s cultural life since 1953. Over more than seven decades, the Philharmonic has welcomed world-class artists, including Krystian Zimerman and Maurizio Pollini. In the past ten years alone, the stage has been graced by musicians such as Mischa Maisky, Kaja Danczowska, Bruce Liu, Alena Baeva, Jan Lisiecki, Anastasia Kobekina, Jakub Józef Orliński, Aleksandra Kurzak, Gautier Capuçon, Guy Braunstein, and Nemanja Radulović – to name just a few.
Performing in the golden symphony hall of the Szczecin Philharmonic has become a cherished tradition of the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra. Once again this year, the orchestra will bring its energy, diversity, and symphonic sound to this extraordinary space – a place where architecture, acoustics, and music meet in perfect harmony.
The heart of the building is the symphony hall, which seats 953 listeners, complemented by an intimate chamber hall with 192 seats. Entirely finished in wood and wood-based materials, the symphony hall captivates audiences with its rich geometry and golden surfaces. Walls and ceilings covered with shimmering schlagmetal petals reflect light in warm, radiant tones, giving the interior its distinctive glow and earning it the poetic name the Sun Hall.
Every architectural and spatial detail of the symphony hall was designed to meet the highest acoustic standards. Renowned venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Boston Symphony Hall, and the Musikverein served as reference points during its creation. It is in this exceptional concert hall that all ILYO tutti rehearsals take place, allowing young musicians to experience symphonic music-making at the very highest level.
Although the current Philharmonic building opened its doors in September 2014, the institution itself has been an integral part of Szczecin’s cultural life since 1953. Over more than seven decades, the Philharmonic has welcomed world-class artists, including Krystian Zimerman and Maurizio Pollini. In the past ten years alone, the stage has been graced by musicians such as Mischa Maisky, Kaja Danczowska, Bruce Liu, Alena Baeva, Jan Lisiecki, Anastasia Kobekina, Jakub Józef Orliński, Aleksandra Kurzak, Gautier Capuçon, Guy Braunstein, and Nemanja Radulović – to name just a few.
Performing in the golden symphony hall of the Szczecin Philharmonic has become a cherished tradition of the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra. Once again this year, the orchestra will bring its energy, diversity, and symphonic sound to this extraordinary space – a place where architecture, acoustics, and music meet in perfect harmony.
Learn more about the Szczecin Philharmonic HERE
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