Opinion

For many years I have had the pleasure of observing the artistic achievements of ROMAN REWAKOWICZ. He has conducted a number of successful concerts with a varied repertoire. I also had the opportunity to talk with musicians from orchestras he has lead, and they have expressed how much they value his professionalism, knowledge of presented pieces, and his ability to work with a repertoire previously unknown to them.

For years, he has been building collaborations, especially with Ukrainian ensembles, thanks to which audiences of Ukraine can become acquainted with numerous important works of Polish music (such as Lutosławski or Paderewski). In addition, his activity in Poland allows the audience to get acquainted with many significant pieces of Ukrainian music. An experience, which I found very useful myself.

I am convinced that Roman Rewakowicz deserves to be entrusted with important artistic projects, because he guarantees that they will be carried out to their fullest success.

ANTONI WIT, conductor, Warsaw

My sincere congratulations to the Conductor. His performances of such diverse, often difficult pieces like Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, are excellent and they testify to his exceptional and experienced conducting that not only holds the orchestra in rhythmic “frames”, but also takes care of the precise dynamics and “balance” between the brass, woodwinds and strings. It expressively “gives life” to the music’s phrase, tension and calm.

STANISŁAW SKROWACZEWSKI, conductor, composer

Roman Rewakowicz has tirelessly carried out his musical and conducting practice for over 25 years, and his activities are of great importance for establishing friendly relations between the Ukrainian and Polish music milieus.

He is one of a few conductors, who take a very careful approach to the composition. He not only conducts, but also diligently works on the musical score. I can hear it in the performance of my works, and for me his personal and expressive manner of conducting creates a „lived” music experience that appears to “tear itself away from the music notes”…

I consider Roman not only an outstanding conductor, but also as a musician who loves music and has a respect towards the composers and performers he presents and works with.

VALENTIN SILVESTROV, composer, Kyiv

Maestro Roman Rewakowicz is a conductor with an incredible sense of rhythm and understanding of the „exact” tempo of music. He combines precision of performance with a strong emotional expression. He conducted my piano concerto, which I have played with many orchestras and conductors before. However, the performance with Roman Rewakowicz I remember as exemplary.

ZYGMUNT KRAUZE, composer, pianist, Warsaw

Roman Rewakowicz conducted quite a few of my compositions. He is a sensitive musician, having the ability to dwell into the specificity of a musical composition and capture its unique character. Being open to all aspects of music, he is capable of brilliantly conducting literally everything. But his biggest gift is the capacity to transport the listener “beyond time”, to immerse him/her in sound, to stimulate a special kind of hearing, sensitivity to detail and musical “micro-breath” .

It is he who managed to extract from my composition Big Transition for piano and orchestra with solo instruments (a work I dedicated to Roman Rewakowicz and my Ukrainian friends) the most passion, urge and energy from the multiple interpretations that this composition’s title entails.

JERZY KORNOWICZ, composer, Warsaw

I consider Roman Rewakowicz’s curiosity for compositional conception and the ability to embody this idea in precise as possible interpretation, as an exceptional characteristic. This is a very important quality. He is always open to a productive collaboration while willing to find a necessary compromise. Roman Rewakowicz is a true artist with an extraordinary sense of beauty.

OLEKSANDR SHYMKO, composer, Kyiv

I have worked with conductor Roman Rewakowicz in several roles – as a composer, a soloist and a performer. And it is captivating to evaluate his work from these different points of view. Let’s start from a composer’s perspective. What is important for a composer? Understanding of his music by a conductor! So that he can see more than the written score! And this is the case with Roman Rewakowicz – there is no dry formalism. His compelling interpretations are full of emotional commitment and honesty, which is not common when it comes to contemporary classical music. As a soloist I met with extraordinary requirements and perfectionism on the part of the conductor, which at the same time, was combined with kindness and good energy. The combination of striving for an absolute result and maintaining an atmosphere of unforced, ‘joyful’ music – this is what I remember. The same applies to the chamber ensemble, but I would like to recall one more very important moment – the intellectual dimension. After every rehearsal you learn something new about this music. The conductor’s intellectual capacity, apart from the technique and knowledge of the score, is very important, and this is what you hear in the final result. The interpretation receives special depth and multidimensionality. And this is the case with Roman Rewakowicz.

ZOLTAN ALMASHI, composer, cellist, Kyiv

Roman Rewakowicz is a strong advocate and an amazing interpreter of contemporary classic music. On his account, many new compositions, especially by Ukrainian composers, got created. Many of my works have been performed under his baton. Rewakowicz always brings his own unique interpretation of a composition, while at the same time, he perfectly reads the author’s intentions and ideas. Working with Roman Rewakowicz has always been about co-creation and great satisfaction.

BOHDANA FROLYAK, composer, Lviv

It is always a pleasure to play music with Roman Rewakowicz. He belongs to those rare conductors who not only read the score, but also creates and brings forward its inner life. He is an excellent „accompanist,” who co-creates and goes through the piece emotionally together with the soloist.

JÓZSEF ÖRMÉNY, pianist, Lviv