Born in Kraków, southern Poland, Kord first studied piano in the Polish city of Katowice and in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg in Russia) before graduating in conducting from the Kraków Music Academy.
He developed a fine career in both opera and symphonic music, working as music director of the Music Theatre in Kraków, the Great Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television in Katowice, the National Opera in Warsaw, and the Warsaw Philharmonic.
He conducted Boris Godunov on the opening night of the 1977/1978 season at the Metropolitan Opera in New York as well as the Met’s productions of The Queen of Spades, Aida and Cosi fan tutte. He was the first Polish conductor to lead productions at the Met.
He also worked closely with Covent Garden in London, and top opera companies in Amsterdam, Munich and Copenhagen, as wel as with leading orchestras in Europe, the United States and Japan.
For near on a quarter of a century (1977-2001) he directed the National Philharmonic in Warsaw.
Kord’s honours included the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Reborn Poland, the Gold Gloria Artis Medal of Merit for Culture, and Polish Radio’s Diamond Baton award.
Kazimierz Kord is laid to rest in Krzeszowice near Kraków, where - as he would say - his career in music had begun. .
This Saturday evening the National Philharmonic in Warsaw pays tribute to the great conductor with a concert dedicated to his memory.
Source: IAR/PAP