PROGRAM BOOK
58th International Horn Symposium „Horn in the City of Kings” | 7-12.07.2026
More information, schedule, registration available at:
58th International Horn Symposium
“Horn in the City of Kings”
From July 7th to 12th, 2026, the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Krakow and Professor Wojciech Kamionka host the 2026 International Horn Symposium. It is the 58th annual symposium, but the first in Poland and Central Europe.
The International Horn Symposium is the most prestigious horn event in the world. Organized annually since 1969, it has been held on six continents – North America, South America, Europe, Asia (China, Japan), Africa (South Africa), and Oceania (Australia). In Europe, sites have included Belgium, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and now Poland.
The symposium features concerts, recitals, lectures, masterclasses, competitions, horn choirs, workshops, and exhibits of instruments and music dedicated to the horn. It attracts world-renowned soloists and professional horn players, teachers and professors, students at all levels, and amateurs/non-professional enthusiasts. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome. The repertoire presented on concerts and recitals ranges from early music (including natural horn) to world premieres of new compositions (including electronics), with solo performances, chamber music, jazz, and symphonic bands and orchestras. Every symposium invites Featured Artists (horn players of highest international reputation) supported by Contributing Artists (professional horn players and experts from academia) and professional musicians on other instruments joining ensembles. Competitions and other events are organized for students. Everyone can participate in horn ensembles. Exhibits provide opportunities to test horns as well mouthpieces, mutes, cases, tools, and to purchase music and souvenirs. Everyone is welcome to Kraków, the City of Kings!
Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
In parallel with the International Horn Symposium, The Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Krakow is organising an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for horn students from European conservatories:
- Conservatorium Maastricht,
- Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe,
- Hochschule für Musik Würzburg,
- Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen,
- The Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Krakow.
The programme combines online and on-site learning, offering participants an opportunity to develop their artistic skills through masterclasses, ensemble work and performances while fostering international cooperation and intercultural exchange.
SCHEDULE
of free entry concerts
We warmly invite you to the concerts open to the public.
The other concerts and events are reserved for Symposium participants only.
Wednesday 8 July 2026, 7:00 PM
Jesuits Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Kopernika 26
Horns and organ
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) Adagio and Andante for Horn and Organ
SAMUEL ADLER (*1928) Manysided Meditation for Solo Horn
WORLD PREMIERE
RANDALL E. FAUST (*1947) Peace on the Horizon: Prelude and Hymn for Horn and Organ
SIGFRID KARG-ELERT (1877–1933) Lobet den Herren mit Pauken und Zimbeln schön (alla Handel)
ANTON BRUCKNER (1824–1896) Ecce Sacerdos Magnus (arr. Matthias Pflaum)
GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813–1901) Messa da Requiem (arr. Leigh Martinet)
Requiem and Kyrie
Rex tremendae
FRYDERYK CHOPIN (1810–1849) Prélude in D-flat major, Op. 28, No. 15 (“Raindrop Prelude”) (arr. Matthias Pflaum)
LÉON BOËLLMANN (1862–1897) Suite Gothique, Op. 25 (arr. Matthias Pflaum)
Horn Ensemble:
Stephen Nicholls / Jukka Harju / Tommi Hyytinen / Michelle Perry / Oleh Nedashkivskyi / Lucca Zambonini / Tiago Carneiro / Daniel Filho / Dayanderson Dantas / Mateus Lisboa / Willy Bessems / Tanja Nisonen / Philip Doyle / Jônatas Nascimento / Ilkka Puputti
Bernardo Silva horn
Jakub Kapała organ
Will Sanders conductor
This concert is made possible by the generous support of Engelbert Schmid Horns.
Admission is free. Places are limited.
Wednesday 8 July 2026, 8:00 PM
Klub „Pod Jaszczurami” (“Under the Lizards” Club)
Main Square 8
Concert of the finalists of Jazz Horn Competition
Competition finalists:
Konnor Lenig, Bram Vanoverberghe
Rhythmic section:
Tomasz Białowolski piano
Alan Wykpisz bass
Szymon Madej drums
This concert is made possible by the generous support of S.E. Shires Company and Eastman Music Company.
Admission is free. Places are limited.
Thursday 9 July 2026, 5:00 PM
Tempel Synagogue
Miodowa 24
Pray for World Peace with the Sound of the Horn
Solo recital
Saar Berger horn
*
PAWEŁ PUDŁO War Horns
Twilight of Peace
Dawn of War
Destruction
War Machines
Chaos
Ashes and Ruins
Desert of Tears
Loneliness
Another Twilight Another Dawn
Why We Keep Forgetting
Horn Ensemble:
Andrew Bain, Felipe Freitas, Kaylet Torrez, Jônatas Nascimento, Saar Berger, Johann Pereira, Elizabeth Linares, Lene Skomedal, Gabriel Betancur, Tadeusz Tomaszewski
Wojciech Kamionka conductor
This concert is made possible by the generous support of Ergo Hestia and Klaus Fehr Horns.
Admission is free. Places are limited.
Thursday 9 July 2026, 7:30 PM
Klub “Pod Jaszczurami” (“Under the Lizards” Club)
Main Square 8
Horn in Jazz
Arkady Shilkloper horn
Przemysław Stefańczyk piano
Alan Wykpisz bass
This concert is made possible by the generous support of Conn Selmer Europe.
Admission is free. Places are limited.
Saturday 11 July 2026, 7:30 PM
Polish Aviation Museum
Jana Pawła II 39
Horns with Polish National Wind Orchestra
ALFRED REED (1921–2005) The Hounds of Spring
KAZIMIERZ MACHALA (*1948) Concerto for Horn, Winds and Percussion
II. [Second Movement]
III. [Third Movement]
ROSSANO GALANTE (*1967) Whispers from Beyond
GILSON SANTOS Os Xapiri for 8 Horns and Wind Band
SAMUEL R. HAZO (*1966) Ride
OTTO M. SCHWARZ (*1967)
Cape Horn for Horn Solo and Wind Band (2008)
The Magic Mountain
Bernardo Silva horn
Katerina Javůrková horn
Trompa Brasilis:
Felipe Freitas / Lucca Zambonini / Tiago Carneiro / Daniel Filho / Dayanderson Dantas / Mateus Lisboa / Johann Pereira / Jônatas Nascimento
Polish National Wind Orchestra in Lubin
Justyna Chmielek-Korbut conductor
This concert is made possible by the generous support of MB Cases.
This project was carried out with the financial support of the Małopolska Voivodeship.
Admission is free. Places are limited.
Partners and sponsors
