Welcome to the world of Paul Polivnick.

Below you'll read some kind words from those who have worked with Paul… enjoy…

Olivier Messiaen, world-renowned French composer from a letter he wrote praising Paul's performance of his monumental work, the Turangalila Symphony:

"Your conducting of my Turangalila Symphony with the Milwaukee Symphony in 1984 is truly remarkable. It is at the same time very exact and very warm, and all the tempos are good. The orchestra is excellent, the Ondes player has a very good legato and the pianist has a beautiful technique and energy. But it is above all your direction which is magnificent. Please believe in my complete gratitude."

Andrew Bales, Founder and President of Symphony Silicon Valley in San Jose, California.

Andrew has invited Paul repeatedly to guest conduct this fine orchestra. He comes to rehearsals and watches very carefully what Paul does and they have had many great conversations over food and drink during those engagements!

"As an employer of a wide range of guest conductors I can say that we always have a better outcome with substance over salesmanship. Paul gets high marks on substance. He brings a studied, but enthusiastic work ethic to everything he does. Though perfectly capable of having fun, he approaches the work seriously and makes the most of his time with the players. It is always a pleasure to have him with us."

Ron Patterson, esteemed concertmaster of the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra, Monaco Philharmonic and Houston Symphony among others.

Ron and Paul met for the first time in 1961 as violin students at the Aspen Music Festival. This began a wonderful lifelong friendship and musical association:

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Paul Polivnick for over 50 years, from when he was a gifted violin student at the Aspen Music Festival and later at Juilliard. Most recently I have had the great opportunity of being his concertmaster for the last ten years with the New Hampshire Music Festival. Paul is one of the most highly developed musicians I have ever known. His understanding of various musical styles coupled with his ability to clearly engage and motivate orchestral musicians to play at their highest level makes him a great conductor. Collaborating as a soloist with Paul is a special event."  Ron Patterson

Francois Bou, Manager of L'Orquestra Simfonica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya.

Francois was the Artistic Director of L'Orchestre National de Lille in France during a time when Paul was a frequent guest conductor there. He has invited Paul twice already to conduct in Barcelona since he took over a year ago. His remarks below were after a series of concerts that were done in Lille.

"Thank you Paul for all these concerts you did with us, for your talent, efficiency and kindness. It was a pleasure shared by everyone here."

William Kraft, world famous American composer.

Paul has known Bill since 1972 and has championed many of his orchestral works through premier performances and recordings over the years.

"It's quite clear that over the years of our association, and indeed from the very beginning when you did "Contextures Riots Decade 60" with the Indianapolis Symphony, you have a profound affinity for my music. The structure, the tempi, the sense of coloration and phrasing are no less than perfect. This was clear even at your first rehearsal of "Interplay"–you already knew more about the piece, in some respects, than I did. Of the many conductors who have directed my music, the only conductor who came to the first rehearsal so completely prepared besides you was Simon Rattle. Your relationship with orchestral musicians is equally impressive.  When you conducted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the recording of my "Settings from Pierrot Lunaire," not an easy piece at all, the players continuously stopped me in the corridor backstage to tell me how impressed they were with your knowledge of the score and your ability to communicate it."

Russell Peck, American composer.

Russell and Paul worked very closely together in performances, premiers and recordings of his music in the USA and abroad. They enjoyed a close friendship and shared many a fine cigar together!

"Thank you again for your wonderful work with my Timpani Concerto this summer. The tempos, the feel, the nuances were all stunningly perfect–a real musical dream come true for me. I'd feel especially privileged as a composer to have you perform my work, except that from all the performances of yours I've heard, I think the composers of the great repertoire would feel the same way about you. You are not a good conductor, you're a great conductor, and one of the compelling personal hopes of my life is that somehow I could help the most significant musical public possible benefit from your work."