Polish government honors former Minn. Orchestra director Skrowaczewski

Orchestra conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
Minnesota Orchestra and conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski takes the stage before a concert at Orchestra Hall Feb. 7, 2014.
Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News

The Polish government is honoring a former Minnesota Orchestra music director, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, with one of its highest civilian awards.

Polish President Bronisław Komorowski presented Skrowaczewski, one of Minnesota's most eminent conductors, with the Grand Cross of the Order of Reborn Poland, also known as the Order of Polonia Restituta.

The medal recognizes outstanding service to Polish culture. Now in his 90s, the conductor, who has lived in Minnesota since the 1960s, still tours regularly in the United States, Europe and Asia.

"Living outside Poland, I really didn't expect it," he said. "It was very nice."

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