‘Nowak directed a very fine account of Tchaikovsky’s last symphony... Starting with the most blissful pianissimo, Nowak built the music to the first climax, which he held back, allowing the second theme really to sing. Only after this did he unleash the violent forces; the development section of the movement was wild and unbridled and the tension was sustained even during the reprise of the “big tune”. The coda was given not as a sorrowful processional but as a restrained comment on what had gone before. The lop–sided waltz of the second movement had the real feel of dance, and Nowak’s light touch was superb here. There’s not much you can do with the famous scherzo but play it and let it run its course, which is what happened and it was all the more enjoyable for it. The finale was regretful but never despairing, fading away into the distance not with remorse but a wistfulness – if I may mangle T. S. Eliot’s famous words.
If the Royal Philharmonic hadn’t secured the services of Charles Dutoit I would be demanding that Grzegorz Nowak be immediately appointed chief conductor for he has a rapport with the musicians and they obviously enjoy playing for him. His concerts are always worth attending and with the RPO on top form we have as exciting a combination of musicians as one could hope for in London. I can hardly wait for the next show when they all get together again.’-
-Bob Briggs, MusicWeb International, London
‘There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind, after hearing this show, that together Grzegorz Nowak and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra make a truly winning combination. I have heard quite a few performances by these musicians and Nowak always commands playing of the very highest standard from the orchestra. We, the audience, are lucky that the RPO has his services. Tonight’s performance of the 4th Symphony showed all that is best in musical performance. Starting with the richest and most sumptuous declamation of the fate motif from the horns – a real dream team here – Nowak led us through Tchaikovsky’s tortured mind in the

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
first movement, seldom allowing for respite – with only a slight slackening of tension for the second subject – this was highly powered and agonizing in its intensity. Although seeming to be a light movement Nowak managed to find moments of suffering in the Andantino – beautiful oboe playing from John Anderson – which have always been there, lurking in the harmonies, making this a slightly uncomfortable listen. The playful scherzo was marvelous, Nowak giving each of the three musics their own style, thus the pizzicato strings were delightfully mellifluous, the wind circus–like and joyous and the brass march po-faced and strict. It was all so easily pleasing that the opening of the finale came as a real shock to our relaxed sensibilities. Here, again, Nowak found the terrors in the music, and with devastating calculation made the final appearance of the fate motif a real event, blowing the roof off our expectations of a mere repeat of earlier music, and bringing a kind of Armageddon to the work. A towering interpretation and as fine a piece of orchestral playing as I have heard all year... splendid concert’
-Bob Briggs, MusicWeb International, London
Nowak demonstrated exactly how to play Mozart without relegating all responsibility to the original instruments brigade... Nowak directed both Concertos in a spritely manner, full of bounce and spirit... But, to be honest, it was the DvoÅ™ák I wanted to hear... The music moved forwards at a very nice pace... This was a superb performance... and made this glorious Symphony into a real Symphonic experience rather than just a pleasant walk in the country... handled with aplomb, the tension never dropped, the drama, rather than tragedy, was well handled and we were kept on the edges of our seats as the music progressed from one highpoint to the next... superb’
-Bob Briggs, 6.10.2009, MusicWeb International, London

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘Grzegorz Nowak proved his authority leading the Orchestra Sinfonia Varsovia in Szymanowski Overture, conducted with precision, fire and passion, emphasising lyrical and passionate dimensions of this score... In the ‘Italian’ Symphony, musicians of Sinfonia Varsovia, led by Nowak’s vigorous, fluid, light and lively direction, are filled with energy and follow with full-understanding suggestive gestures of the conductor who has a deeply romantic temperament.’
-Michel Le Naour, Le Journal, Salle Pleyel, Paris
‘The RPO opened well with some light and deft exchanges capturing perfectly the tongue in cheek seriousness of the piece. Nowak did a good job in bringing out the richness of the romantic textures while at the same time ensuring they remained clear. The brass, strings and bassoons did an excellent job characterizing the various student songs (the bassoons were particularly good in the comical ‘Fox-song’). The final ‘Gaudeamus igitur’ was played with vigor and gusto bringing the piece to its triumphant conclusion... Nowak and the RPO did an excellent job in providing a responsive accompaniment... The opening sonata form movement is marked allegro tranquillo and has the title ‘Daydreams of a Winter Journey’. The opening melody on flutes and bassoons with whispering strings was wonderfully atmospheric. The RPO brought a wide range of color to the movement and succeeded in bringing out the sense of wonderment and emotional engagement to landscape and natural forms. I particularly liked some of the pointed phrasing from the violas and cellos and some expressive changes between the strings and woodwind. The second movement, marked adagio cantabile ma non tanto, is entitled ‘Land of Gloom, Land of Mists’. The muted opening in the strings had a restrained sensuality and there was some delightful playing from the woodwind. Some of the long phrases in the strings were nicely shaped and crafted. The elfin scherzo is reminiscent of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Nowak and the RPO performed it with lightness and grace, while there was some deft orchestral coloring the waltz trio

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
section... Nowak brought immense clarity to the contrapuntal elements of the finale and the fugato elements were extremely well articulated and voiced. The rousing coda was delivered with an emotional charge and punch.’
-Robert Beattie, MusicWeb International, London
‘one of the greats... exciting... ‘Romeo and Juliet’ seeped out over the chill; the solemn chorale, with its Russian Orthodoxy spirit, sought sanctuary for its aching yearning. Until the opening wind chords became much faster over the strings and the timpani strode in, and I could feel the feuding families fill the Gothic arches with thwarted romance. My heart broke as the funereal drumbeat marked the final tragedy, before the chapel setting became the perfect resting place for the final notes of heavenly peace... even the walls of this chapel... seemed to look up with interest as the vigorous Russian folk dance themes rattled on them... we were ushered back under the spell of the Russians, combined with their interest in the Far East at the time. Rimsky-Korsakov composed the Scheherazade symphonic suite based on pictures from The Arabian Nights, in turn a translation of One Thousand and One Nights... the dazzling orchestration almost translated into livid colors, and I am pretty sure I felt the chapel actually seduced into tapping its toes. The music filled the chancel, ran over the alter tumbling into the choir and spilling down the aisles to then soar up the ribs and groins of the pillars and churn over the emblazoned ceiling, threatening to burst out into the clear night sky... I appreciated that I have had the privilege of being there, it is one of the music world’s great shows... The evening was enhanced by being in such capable hands. Grzegorz Nowak took the fractions of a stripped down orchestra and edited versions of the pieces and made them add up to a larger number than the sum of their parts.’
-Melanie Gow, Beat, London

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘compelling account... the slow movement was outstanding, very spacious, a true Largo... achingly intense in climaxes... finale was trenchant, sometimes reporting fury, and expressive of universal pathos at its mid- point... a thought-provoking performance.’
-Colin Anderson, Classical Source, London
‘Symphony No. 5 earned lengthy applause and rightly so. The impressive dynamic shaping and clarity of phrasing were particularly powerful... the unity of this huge orchestra, the playing from all sections... ensured a gripping mix and balance of emotion and mood throughout: pain, restlessness, conflict, demented obsession, sneering cynicism, humor and defiant exuberance were all there, though under control. The Largo was woven through with such a golden, spellbinding thread of grief, sorrow and painful beauty that tears must have pricked the eyes even of those with no experience of Stalinist terrors, keeping listeners suspended in a magical, emotional flow. We might have been inclined to jump up and shout ‘Bravo!’ right there and then’
-Eileen Caiger Grey, DigYorkshire, Leeds
‘Nowak's energetic conducting and attention, especially to dynamic detail, was abundantly evident... admirably captured in tonight's performance... Nowak and the orchestra were superb... Nowak molded an intense musical line, a kind of great arc of symphonic drama which also projected the difference, diversity of each movement - indeed the diversity within each movement... It was in the 'Largo' in particular that Nowak found an almost unbearable dramatic/brooding quality. I have seldom heard the development of unbroken cadences, after the first impassioned D minor climax, mutating into regions of ill - defined tonality captured with such conviction... inspired event’
-Geoff Digginess, MusicWeb International, London

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘An evening of music-making I shall never forget. ‘
-Jeffrey Taylor, Express, London
‘The musicians of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were at their best... The orchestra was led by... Grzegorz Nowak who is Principal Associate Conductor of the RPO. Nowak is an energetic conductor with an exquisite presence. He is tall, slim and his enthusiasm for the music is intense and contagious; at times he almost appears to grow, towering above the orchestra, like a Nordic god commanding a storm; his hair swirling around his head as if taken by a sudden, furious wind! He led the RPO in a vibrant but romantic rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture...his and the orchestra’s greatest moment came with the final piece: the composer’s magnificent Symphony No. 5...the music was delivered with great technical precision and well-judged passion... leading the orchestra in an exceptionally fine, exciting interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s music. Nowak’s and the RPO’s performance was excellent throughout and one of the best that I have so far seen and heard’ -Margarida Mota-Bull, MusicWeb International, London
‘Grzegorz Nowak, a supremely musicianly conductor... drew a magnificent Shostakovich Fifth Symphony from his marvelously pliant orchestra’ -Bernard Lee, Sheffield Telegraph
"Zimerman, impetus and poetry... A rare opportunity to hear in Italy performers of such a high caliber as Krystian Zimerman and the Orchestra" Sinfonia Helvetica" directed by Grzegorz Nowak... the precision and strict orchestral training proved crucial in obtaining the right sparkle in Rossini's famous overture... Symphony No. 4 of Mendelssohn: impeccable interpretation, full of momentum both in the initial Allegro vivace and in famous final Salterello, while in the middle movements Nowak was able to transport us with passion to places of the soul worthy of a midsummer night, which in all intents and purposes this Umbrian town preserves until present times... in this interpretation of Brahms we had a beautiful agreement between soloist and the orchestra, a mutual confidence fully

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
blossoming; the quality of the soloist was matched by remarkable level of this formation, active blossoming for over a decade and founded by Nowak who guided them yesterday with the highest mastery: impeccable ensemble sections, especially especially winds with impressive dynamic effects, with 'pianissimo' not easy to attain with a formation of such size, a soft carpet of sound that could stretch the delicate melodies produced when Zimerman's fingers touched the keyboard.
-George Cerasoli, il giornale della musica
‘this was as sprightly a performance as you could have wished for... I loved every second of it... The Royal Philharmonic played expertly and obviously appear to enjoy working with Nowak. Long may this collaboration continue!’
-Bob Briggs, MusicWeb International, London
‘exquisite... a delight... Nowak directed a very dramatic performance, full of fire and spirit, relishing every twist and turn of the music... Here was a New World full of drama, tension, passion and tragedy... the music held together better than I have ever heard it. With playing of the utmost excitement and refinement, this was a performance to savor.’
-Bob Briggs, MusicWeb International, London
‘Explosive... This concert certainly lived up to its title...thanks to the conducting of Grzegorz Nowak and the magnificent orchestra... displayed the full force and talents of the orchestra’
-Bella Bartock, Croydon Today, London

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘stunned enthusiasm... WHEN the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra travels to the Wycombe Swan, with a “Grand Tchaikovsky Gala”, one anticipates West End concert hall standards. And, under the baton of its Polish born Principal Associate Conductor, Grzegorz Nowak, one most certainly got it... high standards continued with the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture... a refined handling of the romantic tragedy with some truly ecstatic moments. Here the interpretive skills of Nowak were well shown, to produce a deep and satisfying performance... splendid... vivid rendering’
-Stan Mears, Bucks Free Press, High Wycombe, London
‘Grzegorz Nowak, principal associate conductor of the London Philharmonic, who for a long time has a brilliant international career, was so convincing that immediately won us over. From Allegro vivace everything was enchanting: balance of sound, clear musical lines, energy of gestures. Andante con moto is not diluted into excessive slowness, it flows like a source. In sparkling final Saltarello the conductor presents himself both as master of color and rhythm, precise but flexible, with attention to details. Definitely one likes very much this chamber approach and yet generous, supple and structured. Mendelssohn’s work confirmed the technique and temperament already demonstrated in Concert Overture by Szymanowski whose Dionysian and conquering exaltation, very Strauss-like in spirit, could not have found a better interpreter. Pushed to the limits with lively tempos, the orchestra followed their conductor unabated... in Second Concerto of Chopin the orchestra, so often confined to condescending support, was especially pointed – one could recognize the hand of a conductor with operatic experience.’
-Didier van Moere, ConcertoNet.com, Salle Pleyel, Paris

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘Outstanding... In every way this matches and even outshines the superb account which Sir Georg Solti recorded with the Chicago Orchestra on Decca... the vitality of the piece is superbly caught with the LSO even crisper in articulation than the Chicago players.’
-Gramophone, London
‘One of the best. Already the very beginning of Saturday’s concert of the Warsaw National Philharmonic proved that Grzegorz Nowak, eminent Polish conductor working mostly abroad, can draw from this ensemble a superb, noble sound. The orchestra played with uncommon precision and determination... The symphonic poem Returning Waves of Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, full of thunderous culminations and beautiful musical details, was interpreted and performed impeccably, vividly and with excellent narrative pace... In the 1st Violin Concerto of Szymanowski...the soloist always remained within boundaries of good taste, playing stormy passages with bravura and lyric episodes with fantasy. Refined articulation, rich color of her violin, sounding in middle register like a warm overflowing wave — all this finely laced with impressive sound from the orchestra, produced ravishing effects. The soloist and the conductor equally honored composer's romantic nature as well as his innovative musical thought. Exposing ecstatic qualities of the work, Grzegorz Nowak flawlessly guided the rhythmic discipline, ensemble precision and sound balance of the instrumental groups. As the result, we were treated to the best interpretation of this masterpiece on Polish concert stages in years... Grzegorz Nowak also managed to present the changing and capricious character of Rachmaninoff’s last composition in a superb manner, skillfully contrasting light and graceful passages with dramatic sections. The entire work was thoughtfully paced, and the orchestra once again impressed with its noble sound as well as precision and energy.’
-Bartosz Kaminski, Gazeta Wyborcza, Warsaw

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘Inspiring concert... Grzegorz Nowak, the RPO's Principal Associate Conductor, brought masterly expression to the performance, a shining example of his highly acclaimed and award-winning interpretations... the RPO and Grzegorz Nowak rendered one of the most memorable performances of Antonin DvoÅ™ák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor.’
-Simon Ames, Croydon Today, London
‘Grzegorz Nowak is certainly one of the most remarkable conductors... the galvanized orchestra [Montreal Symphony] gave a prodigious performance.’
-La Presse, Montréal
‘Blond, young and fabulous are the words to describe the conductor Grzegorz Nowak.’
-Il Tempo, Rome
‘It would be difficult to imagine a more compelling presentation. The musicians of the Montreal Symphony seemed inspired.’
-The Gazette, Montreal
‘The orchestra accompaniment was magnificent under Grzegorz Nowak's direction in both Glazunov's and Mozart's violin concertos [with Anne- Sophie Mutter]... Rarely has Tivoli Symphony Orchestra sounded with such a surplus of refinement and richness of color.’
Jyllands-Posten, Copenhagen
‘delightful... marvelously colorful... very memorable... you probably will be shocked at just how good the whole thing is... finely made music... these ebullient, fizzy, well-engineered performances by the clearly energized Kaiserslautern orchestra under Grzegorz Nowak make the best possible case for Czerny.’
-David Hurwitz, Classics Today

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘Stylish and luminous... exquisitely poised... idiomatic and brilliant.’
-The Financial Times, London
‘The music still sounds superb, partly thanks to the fantastic interpretation of the Sinfonia Varsovia under Grzegorz Nowak. Do not overlook the true pearl, the concerto overture "Bajka" by the master of song and opera Stanislaw Moniuszko. The Album of the Year '96. Grzegorz Nowak and the Sinfonia Varsovia have worked wonders... It is one of the best and most surprising recordings I have heard’
-M. Tokarska, Studio, Warsaw
‘Symphony Comes Alive Under Nowak... Nowak elicited a brilliance and depth from the orchestra [San Diego Symphony]... restored the magic and innocent ebullience.’
-Los Angeles Times
‘Mr. Nowak has the capacity to enchant the audience... exquisitely done.’
-The Telegraph, Liverpool
‘Stylish, brilliant and sovereign interpretation.’
-Der Landbote, Winterthur
‘Grzegorz Nowak sovereignly conducted the National Opera Orchestra’
-Stefan Schickhaus, Frankfurter Rundschau
‘Orchestra of the Polish National Opera played convincingly under the baton of Grzegorz Nowak with drive and knowledge of multilayered facets of this tension- rich score. Nowak stressed not only effects, but also worked out delicate and intimate musical details. Performance was impeccable, assured and with great precision. Proper balance between stage and orchestra was always maintained." At the podium was Grzegorz Nowak... He conducted a brilliant and very musical performance full of color, sensibility and high precision, reliably engaging the National Opera Orchestra to provide assured accompaniment to singers. Lars-Erik Gerth, Maintal Tageszeiger

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘You must get this disc... dispatched with panache and imagination by a conductor... playing of the orchestra is well up to the best. Had this collection been issued by Hyperion, music-lovers outside Poland would have been snapping this up in hundreds. Don't let this collection slip past.’ -Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International
‘Here is a conductor with absolute clarity of beat and intention... crisp woodwind sound and luscious string tone were present in a Rossini overture, setting the standard for the evening... Mozart’s final symphony, the ‘Jupiter’... was immediately fresh and sparkling’
-David Bunkell, Eastern Daily Press
‘Standing ovation... Superb orchestra under a sovereign baton of Grzegorz Nowak was precise, immaculate and expressive.’
-Volker Milch, Wiesbadener Tagblatt
‘At the podium was Grzegorz Nowak... He conducted a brilliant and very musical performance full of color, sensibility and high precision, reliably engaging the National Opera Orchestra to provide assured accompaniment to singers.’
Rita Steiner-Rinneberg, Gießener Allgemeine Zeitung
‘Beethoven's final two piano concertos are quite contrasting in character but each has its own particular appeal from the soft Elysian calm of the 4th to the heroic triumphalism of the 5th. I was weaned on these concertos by two pianists, Rudolf Kempe and Daniel Barenboim in their trend setting recordings of the late 1960's and early 1970's with Karl Böhm and Otto Klemperer respectively. This new recording with Mario Galeani and Grzegorz Nowak reminded me of those seminal performances as the music sounds as fresh as a daisy and the wonderful interplay between soloist and conductor is palpable just as with Barenboim and Klemperer who although separated by over half a century in age spoke in one voice. The 4 Concerto contains some lovely lyrical pieces and these come alive in a manner which is truly quite special here. The ’Emperor’ concerto also has the RPO [Royal Philharmonic Orchestra] on absolute top form throughout with the recording balance delightfully rich and homogeneous. Galeani is never rushed or hurried

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
and he plays the part with extreme technical conviction again ably supported by Nowak. This is surely a version of the 5 to cherish. As already indicated, recordings are of the top drawer quality with ample notes for those who enjoy such material. A real winner from the RPO stable of thoroughbreds.’
-Gerald Fenech, ClassicalNet
‘Nowak... had a firm grip on the score's potential for liquid line and colorful sonority... the performance virtually oozed with excitement.’ -The Buffalo News
‘This is the finest recording of The Seven Deadly Sins currently available... The whole performance is simply marvelous... Nowak conducts the Kaiserslautern orchestra with a perfect feeling for Weill's brittle, sardonic idiom, and the recording has unusual clarity and impact... it would be difficult to imagine a snappier, more alert performance.’
-David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday, London

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘Grzegorz Nowak accompanied [Krystian Zimerman]... with flexibility and joy... the conductor makes music with a clear vision, consequent concept and energy, challenging instrumentalists and obtaining excellent results.’
-Der Bund, Bern
‘Edmonton Symphony Orchestra brought in numerous fine soloists, but most of the best moments involved just maestro Grzegorz Nowak and the ESO. Stravinsky’s Petrouchka, Brahms’ Tragic Overture, Berlioz’ Sinfonie Fantastique, Franck’s Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Fourth and Beethoven’s Eighth all received enthralling performances.’
-John Charles, Edmonton Sun
'From the energetic opening of Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccip espagniol, the orchestra responded to Nowak's vigor with a magnificent and virtuosic display... transfixing... touching... this was a showcase for Nowak's expertise in design and power.'
-D.T. Baker, Edmonton Journal
‘RPO season kicks off in real style. With conductor Grzegorz Nowak at the helm, it had an excellent start... a real rapport between conductor and orchestra was always apparent... Grzegorz Nowak’s intimate understanding of the music was communicated throughout to the orchestra, enabling a committed and ebullient performance.’
-David Bunkell, Eastern Daily Press
‘Grzegorz Nowak is that rarity... The music has color, style, and verve in his hands... his orchestra plays with panache and beauty of tone.’
M.C. Passarella, Amazon.com
‘Nowak... uses the orchestra's obvious regard for him to build a series of truly panoramic high points.’
-The Vancouver Sun

Grzegorz Nowak – Critical Acclaim
‘A concert in the attractive Winspear Hall showed the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to be full-toned and attentive to its talented director Grzegorz Nowak.’
-Leslie Kandel, American Record Guide
‘Grzegorz Nowak marvelously revived the tragedy of ’Miraculous Mandarin’ arranging contrasting musical phrases with true mastery and presenting with brilliant passion the enormous tragedy contained in the orchestral suite.’ -Deia, Spain
‘Grzegorz Nowak... not only has impeccable gestures but, above all, imprints his vision with hot expression...conducted with assurance, conviction, elegance... magnificent version.
-El Diario Vasco
‘Nowak presented a magnificent vision of Franck Symphony... exemplary interpretation’
-El Correro Español
‘A new Polish-born star’
-Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo
‘Maestro Simply Divine’
-John Charles, Edmonton Sun