Polish government honors former Minn. Orchestra director Skrowaczewski

Perhaps one sign you've arrived as a conductor is when heads of state reshuffle their schedules for you.

Back in September, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, a former Minnesota Orchestra music director, received a phone call from the Polish Embassy in Washington D.C., informing him that Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski would be in the U.S. to visit President Barack Obama. As part of the visit, Komorowski had planned to present Skrowaczewski with an award, and he asked the conductor to come to Washington. Maestro Skrowaczewski, however, had other plans.

"I said, 'I'm sorry, I'm just leaving for Japan, but I will be conducting in Warsaw the first week of December'," Skrowaczewksi recalls. "'Wonderful', [they said]."

When Skrowaczewski arrived in Poland as December began, Komorowski welcomed him to the Belvedere Palace in Warsaw, where Skrowaczewski was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Reborn Poland, also known as the Order of Polonia Restituta. One of Poland's highest civilian awards, the medal recognizes outstanding service to Polish culture. Although born in Poland, Skrowaczewski has lived in Minnesota since the 1960s.

"I didn't expect anything," Skrowaczewski says of the award. "It was a surprise."

During the ceremony, held solely in Skrowaczewski's honor, Komorowski spoke about Skrowaczewski's work and his contributions to Polish culture. Guests included Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage Malgorzata Omilanowska, directors and conductors of various Polish orchestras, and Skrowaczewski's friend, renowned composer Krzysztof Penderecki.

Skrowaczewski has been honored by the Polish government before, having received the Commander of the Order of the White Eagle five years ago. "I didn't expect any more [awards], but this one is a step higher!" Skrowaczewski laughs. "It looks very beautiful."

Now in his 90s, the conductor still tours regularly in the United States, Europe and Asia. As a nonagenarian, Skrowaczewski carefully plans his schedule and his activities to accommodate his conducting responsibilities. "When I was very young, [conducting] was more physical … now I reduce everything to the hands."

Despite some concerns about his circulation, Skrowaczewski insists on standing when he's at the podium. "I don't like to sit because sitting — psychologically for an orchestra — doesn't give the impact of the presence of a conductor over the musicians."

But Skrowaczewski says the most demanding part of conducting is something the audience cannot see. "It is a mental thing," he says. "Concentration, preparation. … I have to be reading to know the scores. … The orchestra needs a conductor that is convinced about certain things, even if it is against the habit of the orchestra."

As 2015 approaches, Skrowaczewski already has a full year planned. He has European tour dates planned in January, February, March and during the summer. In the autumn, he'll make his annual guest-conductor visit to Japan. "It's busy," he says, "but I think any time I can feel finished, I don't have to do it anymore. It depends on my health and strength and everything."

And with his recent award, will Skrowaczewski wear his sash and medals on the podium?

"Oh, no," the maestro laughs. "It would be preposterous."

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