J.R. Oestreich, The New York Times, New York
April 25, 2005
A Mass from a Polish Orchestra, Seeming Perfectly Timed
“The orchestra (Wrocław Philharmonic of Poland) played to a nearly full house in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.(…) Mariusz Smolij, the orchestra’s music director, led a compelling performance.”

 

Dana Oland, The Idaho Statesman, Boise, Idaho
February 27, 2008
Mahler, Smolij prove powerful combo
“The guest conductor mines the depths of Mahler's Symphony No. 1 and gets it from Boise Philharmonic. (...)Smolij and the Philharmonic wrung every bit of heartbreak, joy, humor and sober reflection from the piece. Throughout the night Smolij showed himself an apt conductor with a marvelous talent for manipulating tempo and the subtle nuances of  color, tone and texture.”

 

N. Lebrecht, London Evening Standard, London, England
November 8, 2006
CD of the week: Panufnik, Polish Chamber Orchestra, Smolij
“The Old Polish Suite and Concerto in Modo Antico are bright, though never quite carefree, while Hommage a Chopin for flute and string ensemble avoids sentimentalizing the national hero and reflects more on his introspection than his insurrectionist zeal. You don't have to be Polish to feel the beauty...”

 

W. Simmons, Fanfare Magazine,
April, 2007
Panufnik, Homage to Polish Music, Polish Chamber Orchestra, Smolij
“Mariusz Smolij leads the Polish Chamber Orchestra in performance of striking sensitivity and precision. My attention was drawn repeatedly to their delicacy and unusually refined phrasing .”

 

Raymond Tuttle, Classical Net, The Internet's Premier Classical Music Source
April, 2008
Tadeusz Szeligowski, Poznań Philharmonic, Smolij (Naxos)
“Once again, Naxos is to be praised for making virtually unknown music available to the masses in excellent performances on this CD. The Poznań Philharmonic is a top-notch ensemble. Smolij makes excellent case for this music.”  

 

Adam Suprynowicz, Ruch Muzyczny, Warsaw, Poland
April 15, 2008
Szeligowski, Poznań Philharmonic, Czapiewski (piano), Smolij (conductor), Naxos
“The Poznań Philharmonic plays its best, led here with terrific energy by Mariusz Smolij. This conductors must be especially comfortable with the musical esthetics of the neo-classical style. He proves that also in a very good CD with music by Panufnik that he recorded for Naxos with the Polish Chamber Orchestra. (Szeligowski's) recordings are extremely lively and bring out the best out of that forgotten music. This CD should be in collections of every curious music lover, a real finder, highly recommended.”  

 

M. Dervan, The Irish Times, Dublin, Ireland
January 10, 2007
Panufnik, Polish Chamber Orchestra, Mariusz Smolij (Naxos)
“The music on this new disc, more than half of it recorded for the first time, is somewhat in lines with Respighi's Ancient Airs and Dances or Warlock's Capriol Suite, but obviously with a flavor of its own. The composer's great ear for delectable surfaces is well represented by the performances under Mariusz Smolij." 

 

R. Hecht, American Record Guide, Cincinnati, Ohio
March/April 2007
Panufnik, Polish Chamber Orchestra, Mariusz Smolij
“This music requires beautiful string sound and dead-on intonation, and it gets both from the Polish Chamber Orchestra. Sound is first rate."

 

H. Culot, Musicweb International
February, 2007
Panufnik, Homage to Polish Music, Polish Chamber Orchestra, Smolij
“These arrangements are all done with taste, subtlety and - most importantly - affection. (...) This release is a must for all Panufnik admirers. Others will of course find a lot to enjoy here. Performances and recordings are very fine. A lovely disc."

 

G. Higginson, Musicweb International
March, 2007
Panufnik, Homage to Polish Music, Polish Chamber Orchestra, Smolij
“An altogether curious disc demonstrating a facet of Panufnik's work that has been almost entirely unknown. Performances are excellent, stylistically aware (...) the recording is vivid and brings the music to life."

 

K.D. Hansen, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colorado
February 5, 2006
Conductor Mesmerizes Macky Auditorium  
“The exuberant "Bartered Bride" dances set the stage for a remarkably satisfying evening of music.(...) The crowd - one of the largest in recent memory at a Phil concert - was already prepared to give the conductor a standing ovation after the overture (Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet). It would clearly be a challenge for him to maintain this level of excellence, but in the suite of music from Gershwin's operatic masterpiece (Porgy and Bess), he did just that.(...) There is no doubt that Smolij availed himself remarkably well in presenting a memorable, surprisingly unified program and in gaining the obvious admiration of the orchestra.”

 

D. P. Stearns, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA
January 23, 2006
Riverside Symphonia  
“Any alert classical music community great or small, harbors secret fears that its symphony orchestra program are the same, somewhat impersonal rotation of masterpieces heard anyplace else. So you need to be impressed that Lambertville's Riverside Symphonia, a 16 year-old professional orchestra directed by Mariusz Smolij, is fostering something indigenous.”

 

H. Hitron, Haaretz, Tel Aviv, Israel
January 17, 2005
The Wonderful Ways of Inspiration  
“At the Musica Nova concert we were presented with the "Orpheus Serenade" by William Bolcom (…) The Serenade reminded us that the modern music, well performed and well conducted, (here by Mariusz Smolij), can be entertaining, parodist and full of joy.”

  

C. Galla, Il Giornale di Vicenza, Vicenza, Italy
May 12, 2005
Reason and discipline in the work of Polish conductor
“To lead the orchestra (l’Orchestra del Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza) was Polish conductor Mariusz Smolij. His gestures were simple but he was in evident control of every section of the orchestra and taking care of each musical detail. His interpretation (of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3) was vivid and with soft, but decisive dynamism. He lights signals with controlled efficiency that referred to the classical aspiration of the Russian composer, but without compromising his melodic vein.”

  

R. Shapella, Bucks County Herald, New Jersey
 April 16, 2005
 Visit by Wroclaw Philharmonic was something to remember
 "In the first American tour, orchestra casts a musical spell. Wrocław Philharmonic presented performance to remember. Throughout the concert, each section performed flawlessly. Rappe's (alto soloist) singing suggested foreboding and lamentation and Smolij led an orchestra that could not have been more responsive to a soloist." 

  

G. Panetta, Peoria Journal News, Peoria, Illinois
February 7, 2005
Orchestra Nails It in the Second Half
“Something like a thunder of approval greeted the conclusion of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade Suite, which occupied the program's second half. They really nailed it, creating, at times, a wall of sound: a wash of galloping rhythms, blaring brass, rushing strings and, somewhere above it all, a tingling triangle. Smolij led the orchestra in a performance that was tight, focused and enthralling. Both in the overture and in the concert's second half, the players really appeared to connect not only with the music, but with the audience as well.”

 

 S. Pedersen, The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, Canada
December 1, 2004
Celebrity series concert a gloriously lyric delight
"It was a glory, a perfectly realized moment of joint artistic force with soloist M. Fewer, guest conductor Mariusz Smolij and the (Symphony Nova Scotia) orchestra all hitting the same mark at the same time. Smolij is a superb accompanist."

 

P. Somers, Classical New Jersey, Plainfield, New Jersey
November 4, 2004
Connecting strands of meaning
"Haydn's Sturm und Drang symphonies must be brought to life by a conductor with ideas. Smolij's conception of and care for details large and small produced the finest performance of this work (Symphony No. 44) I have heard to date. Nuances upon which he insisted in rehearsals (I asked players) were well within stylistic limits but made the music alive with feeling. Carefully wrought balances open new vistas of the music, vistas too often ignored by even well-known conductors."

 

J. Kański, Twoja Muza, Warsaw, Poland
October 28, 2004
 Wratislavia, One of Its Kind Festival in Europe
 "The first European performance of F. Liszt’s St. Stanislaus Oratorio was a true revelation of this festival. It received masterly performance from the soloists, the Silesian Philharmonic Chorus and the Wroclaw Philharmonic under the direction of Mariusz Smolij.”

  

L. Pfaadt, Affiches Monteur, Strasbourg, France
May 11, 2004
Symphony Orchestra from Wrocław
 “Symphony No. 5 by S. Prokofiev was presented in the second part of the concert. This typical, in its formal structure symphony, received splendid interpretation from the Polish orchestra from Wroclaw. The spirited and talented orchestra, under the excellent leadership of Mariusz Smolij, showed great dynamism and beauty of sound."

 

R. Bloom, Acadiana Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, LA
April 9, 2004
ASO and Chorale Acadienne Ooze With Talent
“When Mariusz Smolij came back to Lafayette to conduct the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, the reaction was like being given a stupendous merry unbirthday present. Maestro Smolij has near-perfection ability to balance orchestra and chorus, such that each group is able to achieve its highest potential. (…) Smolij is performer’s conductor. To quote a member of Chorale Acadienne, “It’s almost as if you don’t need to come to rehearsals. During the performance, he conducts and everyone knows exactly what they have to do and when.”

 

Dr. M. Lafite, Österreichische Musikzeitschrift, Vienna, Austria
October 15, 2003
Festival Wratislavia Cantans
“At the Wratislavia Cantans Festival, the rarely heard Missa Solenelle by Hector Berlioz was given a top-class performance. Mariusz Smolij led the Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Silesian Philharmonic Chorus and soloists in the large St. Mary Magdalene Cathedral filling it with full sound.”

 

R. Blum, Acadiana Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana
September 26, 2003
ASO’s Maestro is spellbinding in first concert
“The orchestra presented a haunting exchange of motifs that created a musical trilogy, passed between the different sections. At the selection’s conclusion, one passionate audience member substituted a shouted, “What a beginning” in lieu of the showers of “Bravo” offered by his less affected audience mates. I couldn’t agree with the gentleman more.”

 

I. Hermann, Wiesbadener Kurier, Wiesbaden, Germany
August 11, 2003
Rheingau Music Festival: Chamber Orchestra from Wroclaw
“The Wroclaw Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra performed Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony in a spectacular way. Clarity and dynamic elegance were well captured. The ensemble was responding with spontaneity and charming sense of humor. The suite from El Amor Brujo by M. de Falla was played under the inspiring direction of Mariusz Smolij with great energy and temperament earning great ovations. However, it was the conductor who was in the central role here, bringing to life variety of subtle nuances and effects.”

 

J. Raub, The Huntsville Times, Huntsville, Alabama
November 21, 2002
HSO reveals Shakespeare in Love
“The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra continued its season with concert entitled "Shakespeare in Love". Tchaikovsky's romantic version (of Romeo and Juliet) contrasted nicely with Bernstein's modern and eclectic interpretation. Together the works were striking and the symphony even performed a brief encore of the Symphonic Dances at the end of the concert. The spectacular performance was conducted by Mariusz Smolij.”  

                                 

O. Pisarenko, Ruch Muzyczny, Warsaw, Poland
November 10, 2002
37 International Festival Wratislavia Cantans
“With Gershwin’s music (Porgy and Bess) Smolij feels at home. He unmistakably brings out its colors, pulse and rhythm. He breaths it the same perfect way as the black singers performing the solo parts.”

 

K. Miklaszewski, Ruch Muzyczny, Warsaw, Poland
September 29, 2002
„Sinfonia Americana”
 “I must admit that I never heard any Polish or any European orchestra with all their groups: strings, winds and percussion playing idiomatic American music so naturally and with such freedom. Mariusz Smolij is a splendid conductor. He presented “classic” interpretations but at the same time allowing the musicians (of Sinfonia Varsovia) to perform with freedom and spontaneity”.

  

M. Miller, Classical New Jersey, Plainfield, New Jersey
May 10, 2002
Riverside Symphonia plays “Eroica”
“In Ravel’s Tzigane Mr. Smolij provided a perfect accompaniment, unselfishly giving the soloist the center stage. In Beethoven’s Eroica was dignified, focused and played with intense emotions.”

 

M. Miller, Classical New Jersey, Plainfield, New Jersey
October 19, 2001
Riverside Variants
“Pianist Ning An and the orchestra presented Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on the a theme of Paganini as one cohesive unit, blending each of the variations in smooth transitions. (…) (In Ravel’s Bolero) Mr. Smolij well maintained the rhythm successfully building towards the anticipated relief in the end, the change of key signaling powerful concluding moments that propelled the audience to its feet with smiles.”

  

B. Bentley, The Houston Courier, Houston, Texas
July 15, 2001
Houston Symphony with Linda Eder
“The concert opened in a great form with Mariusz Smolij leading the orchestra in a dreamy and exciting performance of Gershwin’s Cuban Overture. It had all the rhythmic flavor and was perfect for the summer evening. The Hammerstein’s King and I  was superb from start to finish.”

 

Ch. Ward, Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas
September 1, 2000
Houston Symphony
“Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 was played (by the Houston Symphony) very well, technique and style were at a peak not often encountered so soon after the summer vacation break. Smolij’s interpretations were crisp and straightforward.”

 

Ch. Ward, Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas
May 2, 2000
Facing the Music
Smolij’s technique was clear; he made essential points efficiently and without ostentation. He and the musicians (of the Houston Symphony) quickly became engrossed in their music-making. Despite the limited amount of rehearsal time, interpretations were sharply shaped. The (Enesco’s) Romanian Rhapsody passed one ad hoc test: the rhythmic vitality made my foot start tapping involuntarily.”

 

R. Kaczemura, Chicago Culture Magazine, Chicago, IL
March 31, 2000
German Poetry and Woman Composers
“The Northwestern Orchestra under Mariusz Smolij was superb in every department, they brought both passion and delicacy to the beautiful orchestration.” (M. Ptaszyńska’s Sonnets of Orpheus.)

 

J. Chacona, Erie Daily Times, Erie, Pennsylvania
February 14, 2000
Guest conductor turns in very good performance
“From start to finish, this was by far the most successful concert of the season. Guest conductor Mariusz Smolij had the orchestra (Erie Philharmonic) playing with great subtlety and nuance, with the strings sounding limpid all evening long. In its slower movements the music rose to an eloquence and dignity that were stirring.”

  

K. Mac Millan, Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Nebraska
November 20, 1999
Symphony Gives Life to “Planets”
“Smolij, (leading the Omaha Symphony) with his economical, natural and effective baton technique admirable managed the work’s (Holst’s Planets) sheer magnitude, bringing a sense of integrity to the whole while giving shape to the distinctive identities of each section-from the brutal powers and urgency of Mars to the otherworldly mysticism of Neptune.”

  

Ch. Staff, The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, IN
July 19, 1997
Guest-conducted ISO romancing the Prairie with appealing works
“(At the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concert) Smolij who gave well-organized notes from the stage, put together a tunefully appealing but unhackneyed program. (…) Smolij made very fine impression with excerpts from Prokofievv’s ballet, Romeo and Juliet, especially in the proud strut of Montagues and Capulets, the passionate passages of Romeo at Juliet’s Tomb and the grisly explosions in Tibalt’s Death.”

 

R. Collier, Classical Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 1997
 “An enchanting concert performed by the Riverside Symphonia and conducted by Mariusz Smolij, someone who knows and loves music deeply and enriches an audience with his unpontificating insider's view born of years of thoughtful experience.”

 

R.W. Butts, Classical New Jersey, Plainfield, New Jersey
March 22, 1997
 Smolij Conducts New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
 “Those in attendance of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra concert, Mariusz Smolij, conductor, were treated to a marvelous sonic experience heavily commented upon during intermission. Even veteran listeners admitted to sitting up and saying “Wow” as the group performed with élan, panache, elegance, and vivacity.  Mozart’s Divertimento in D, K.251, was conducted and played exquisitely with admirable balance, pacing and refinement.”

 

Bridgeton Evening News, Bridgeton, New Jersey
November 25, 1996
Conductor adds a taste of Italy
“Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italian was a grand display and unquestionably the highlight of the evening. From the opening fanfare to the frolicsome string melody punctuated by an insistent brass rhythm, Smolij’s interpretation was vibrant and stirring.”

  

K. Pierson, News Leader, New Jersey
July 3, 1996
“Maestro Mariusz Smolij conducted a superb evening of movie music at the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s performance in Waterloo. Individually, each section of the orchestra performed brilliantly, but conjunctively there was a consistent balance.”

 

A. Cohen, Asbery Park Press, New Jersey
April 21, 1996
Serving unusual music on the side
“What pleased was the work of Smolij, his handling of the Beethoven’s Egmont Overture was excellent. Pacing was accurate and the orchestra was responsive and exciting. (...) The Lutosławski’s  Little Suite was a delight in conductor Mariusz Smolij’s very bright and lively version.”

  

P. Sommers, Star Ledger, Newark, New Jersey
April 20, 1996
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Concert
Lutoslawski’s Little Suite opened the program in colorfully splashy fashion. Next, Joshua Bell, one of the most impressive violinist on the scene, technically flawless ... Conductor (of the New Jersey Symphony) Mariusz Smolij seemed to be the perfect partner, for he pulled long, shapely lines from the orchestra to match Bell’s.”

 

Philip Setzer, violinist with the Emerson String Quartet
June 5, 1996
“He is a consummate artist and leader as well as one of the best accompanists I have ever seen or heard.”

 

Star Ledger, Newark, New Jersey
March 25, 1996
The “People Choice” Concert by the New Jersey Symphony
“Smolij led a performance notable for clarity and shape. (…) Rimski-Korsakov’s Scheherezade was no doubt an audience favorite. The conductor pulled every once of drama out of the score.”

  

J. Ben-Asher, Sun Bulletin, New Jersey
March 21, 1996
New Jersey Symphony
“The concert opened with a tensely somber, tender reading of Beethoven Coriolan Overture. It ended on an up-beat note with a rhythmically driving yet graceful performance of the Eight Symphony. Never too fast, the trills and tremolos and juxtaposed pianissimo and fortissimo realized the work’s playfulness. The prolonged applause that followed its end was fully deserved.”

 

H. Martenka, Illustrated Polish Daily, Bydgoszcz, Poland
January 16, 1995
Evening with classical music (Pomeranian Philharmonic, Poland)
“This beautiful, Romantic piece (Schumann’s Spring Symphony) was led by the conductor with a great taste, expressiveness and understanding of the Romantic style. Especially charming was the rendition of the Larghetto. The final Allegro wonderfully shaped and contrasted, brought the conductor a fully deserved applause.”

  

City Newspaper, Rochester, New York
November 24, 1993
Mariusz and Mahler
“In the Rochester’s premiere of Bohuslav Martinu’s Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra (...) the Cleveland Quartet’s accurate ensemble and intonation were certainly what the piece required, and Smolij did an impressive job of keeping the thick orchestration balanced and bouncy. (...) In Mahler’s Sixth Symphony Smolij showed a very impressive command of a complicated score.  From the opening Allegro the performance was purposeful, efficient and at times almost brutal-not inappropriate in this music. The Eastman Philharmonia’s playing was excellent...”