The International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra performed for the first time in 2013 when the whole world celebrated the Year of Lutoslawski. Since then, in September every year, young people aged 18 -26 from both Poland and other European states meet at the Philharmonic in Szczecin and discover together the unusual and innovative creativity of the orchestra’s patron. During each festival edition, the participants measure themselves against the composer's music, presenting his works in a broader context of contemporary music.

To date nearly 200 young musicians from i.a. Poland, Germany and Great Britain have participated in three previous editions. Their concerts altogether have gathered audiences of ca. 4,000 people, who together with the orchestra, have been learning about the music of one of the most outstanding Polish composers.
This year's edition will be another meeting with Witold Lutosławski's unique composing style.

The outstanding Polish composer Zygmunt Krauze is preparing a new piece inspired by Witold Lutosławski’s "Bucolics for viola and cello" - the “Preludes to Bucolics" is being specially prepared for the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra and will constitute an elaboration of Lutosławski's composition. Krauze will also hold lectures and practical classes for the workshop participants. It will be a unique occasion to work on the first performance of this piece with this established composer.
The programme of the concert also includes three pieces by Witold Lutosławski: "Partita – author’s version for violin and orchestra with piano obligato", "Interlude for orchestra" and "Chain 2. Dialogue for violin and orchestra". According to the concept of the author himself all the pieces constitute a triptych, with “Interlude” specially composed so that "Partita" and "Chain 2" can be performed within one programme.

During workshops, the members of ILYO will work under the supervision of renowned European musicians, great educators, lecturers and experts on Witold Lutosławski's work. You will discover the extraordinary possibilities of your instrument. This year over the entire series of workshops and classes, the musicians of the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra will be supported by:

Jakub Haufa – first violin
Adam Wagner – second violin
Katarzyna Budnik-Gałązka – viola
Andrzej Bauer – cello and doublebass
Guntis Kuzma – woodwind instruments
Nicholas Thompson – brass instruments
Miłosz Pękala – percussion
Zygmunt Krauze – piano, harp
Michał Moc – music imagination workshops
Ewa Strusińska – conductor

During the fourth edition of ILYO, the lecturers will accompany the orchestra not only in classes but also on stage as soloists during the final concert.

For the musicians who become members of this year's International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra, there is a week filled with hard work to enjoy. Classes will begin on Monday 12th September 2016. The programme, most of all, includes: instrument workshops in sections and orchestral rehearsals. Lectures on the way of work of the 20th and 21st century composers and workshops on musical imagination are to serve as a preparation to the final concert.
The International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra will also promote the work of its patron during an educational happening for people of all ages and during the performance at the International House of Culture in Międzyzdroje.
The final concert takes place at the symphony hall at the Philharmonic in Szczecin on Saturday 17th September 2016.

The International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra is a project organized by the Szczecin Philharmonic, where all workshops, rehearsals and lectures will take place. The members of ILYO have the opportunity to work in the same space as the musicians of the Szczecin Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and get to know in detail one of the most important music institutions in Poland.
The final concert will be an opportunity to play on the main stage of the Szczecin Philharmonic. The symphony hall is renown for its excellent acoustics and glittering golden glow. Each and every concert taking place in this space is an unforgettable experience both for the musicians and the audiences.