The Polish Radio Choir in Kraków : outline of activity in the 1950s and 1960s

The text is a brief presentation of the foundation and early years of the Polish Radio Choir in Krakow as well as biographical notes on those involved in it - managers and conductors. The history of this singing company starts in 1948 and is enmeshed in numerous difficulties, such as finding the venue and singers, challenging due to the post-war hardships of the country. Thanks to the active involvement of the founder, first manager and conductor Jerzy Gert, as well as the successive conductors and managers: Krzysztof Missona, Alojzy Kluczniok, Tadeusz Dobrzański and Zbigniew Toffel the choir soon became highly regarded in the country and abroad. This could be established on the basis of positive reviews in Polish and foreign press as well as the choir’s participation in music competitions and festivals during which they were often awarded and praised. Special attention should be paid to the choir’s mission to promote Polish music. Their repertoire spanned from the music of the 16th century to the modern compositions of Karol Szymanowski and Ludomir Różycki. The choir frequently recorded music for archives and for other purposes, including premiere performances