The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra performed its inaugural concert in the newly built hall on 5 November 1901. The orchestra was conducted by its co-founder, first music director and principal conductor Emil Młynarski, with Ignacy Jan Paderewski as soloist. Even before the First World War, and then between the two world wars, the institution became the central hub of musical life in Poland and one of Europe’s leading musical centres.
Following wartime destruction, a new building on Jasna Street was opened in 1955, when the institution was granted the status of the National Philharmonic. Under the leadership of Witold Rowicki, the orchestra regained its position as Poland’s leading symphonic ensemble. In the following decades, the role of artistic director was held by Bohdan Wodiczko and Kazimierz Kord, while Antoni Wit served as general and artistic director from 2002 to 2013. In the 2013/14 season, the post of Artistic Director was taken over by Jacek Kaspszyk, followed in 2019 by Andrzej Boreyko. Krzysztof Urbański assumed the position at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Today, the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra enjoys international acclaim. It has visited five continents during over 150 tours and appeared at major international festivals. It also regularly accompanies the finalists of the Chopin Competition, and takes part in the Warsaw Autumn Festival and the Chopin and His Europe International Festival.