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Antoni Wit - Managing and Artistic Director of Warsaw Philharmonic - The National Orchestra and Choir of Poland since January 2002. Previously, he directed the Pomeranian Philharmonic (1974-77), Polish Radio and Television Orchestra and Choir in Kraków (1977-83), the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice (WOSPR, later NOSPR: 1983-2000), Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria (1987-92). His work with each of these orchestras is now remembered as a period of intense artistic development and as the ensemble's heyday. His concerts and recordings with the Kraków orchestra and choir proved important for Polish music; with these musicians, he frequently toured Italy, Germany, Great Britain, France and Spain. He was NOSPR's longest-time managing and artistic director. With this orchestra, he started regular record production, foreign tours, concerts on TV and film music recordings. Among archive recordings as well as symphonic and oratorio concerts, the pride of place was given to Polish music both by historical and contemporary composers. The artist gave many first performances of compositions by Krzysztof Penderecki, Witold Lutosławski, Wojciech Kilar, and others.

Born in Kraków, he received his education in this city, studying conducting under Henryk Czyż, composition under Krzysztof Penderecki at the State Higher School of Music, and law at the Jagellonian University. He then continued his musical studies with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. From 1967 till 1969 he was Witold Rowicki's assistant at the Warsaw Philharmonic.

The 2nd prize in the International Herbert von Karajan Conducting Competition in Berlin in 1971 paved the way for his great international career. He has given performances in nearly all the major musical centres in Europe, both Americas, the Near and Far East, conducting such leading symphony orchestras as the Berliner Philharmoniker, Staatskapelle Dresden, Tonhalle Zurich, the Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, BBC London, Montreal Symphony, NHK Tokyo, and many others. Recently he conducted, among others, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Staatskapelle Weimar (recording Alpine Symphony by R. Strauss for Naxos) and Japan Philharmonic Orchestra in Tokyo.

He has made nearly 100 records for such labels as EMI-HMV, CBS, Naxos, NVS Arts, Pony Canyon, Polskie Nagrania, and others. His 1985 release of Szymanowski's Stabat Mater on EMI was acclaimed by English critics as one of the best recordings of the year. His version of the complete Prokofiev piano concertos (with Kun Woo Paik as soloist) won the Diapason d'Or and Grand Prix du Disque de la Nouvelle Academie in 1993, while a recording of Messiaen's Turangalîla symphony received Cannes Classical Award (Midem Classique 2002). For the same record company, the conductor recorded Lutosławski's complete symphonic works with NOSPR. His first record made with the National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (Lutosławski, Meyer, Penderecki - for CD Accord) was awarded the Fryderyk 2002 (Polish record prize). In June 2003, Wit recorded Chopin's complete works for piano and orchestra with the Warsaw Philharmonic and the pianist Kun Woo Paik for the prestigious Decca label, whereas in September 2003 he performed the world premiere of Wojciech Kilar's September Symphony which was dedicated to him (CD Accord).

In 2004 Antoni Wit got the Classical Internet Award and was nominated for the Grammy Award for the performance of Penderecki's St. Luke's Passion (Naxos). In June 2005 he recorded Symphony no.8 of Mahler, and in September Te Deum of Penderecki. This month he also conducted first performance of Kilar's Sinfonia de motu. In October the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under the button of Antoni Wit accompanied young pianists during the final stage of XV International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition. In December he was nominated again for the Grammy Award for the recording of Penderecki's Polish Requiem (Naxos). In March 2006 he won three Fryderyk 2005 prizes - for his CD recordings and special the Gold Fryderyk for his lifetime achievements.

For the best performance of a Polish work at the "Warsaw Autumn" International Festival of Contemporary Music, the artist twice won the Orpheus Critics' Award (1984, 1996). "For outstanding artistic creations and the popularisation of Polish music at home and abroad, reaching millions of listeners worldwide", the Polish Radio awarded him in 1998 the "Diamond Baton".

Antoni Wit also engages in teaching activity - he is professor of conducting in the Frédéric Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw.