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Polish organ virtuoso Julian Gembalski turns 75

22.06.2025 20:30
The Music Academy in Katowice and the Silesian Philharmonic in southern Poland have served as the venue of events celebrating organ virtuoso Julian Gembalski on his 75th birthday.
Julian Gembalski.
Julian Gembalski.Photo: X/Dziennik Zachodni/Lucyna Nenow

They included his solo recital and an exhibition documenting his artistic career.

A versatile musician, Gembalski studied organ, composition and music theory in Katowice, subsequently developing his performance skills in Belgium and France. 

Foreign tours have taken him across Europe and to the United States. He has made over 50 CDs and performed on more than 100 organs in recordings for Polish radio stations.

He is also active in the fields of research, having  published extensively on the history and conservation of organs, as well as on improvisation and performance practice.

A long-time professor at his alma mater, Gembalski served as its Rector from 1996 to 2002. He is also the founder of the Organ Museum in Katowice, the first such an institution in Central Europe.

His distinctions include the ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ Medal from Pope John Paul II.

(mk)