Roxanna Panufnik
b. 1968
British
Summary
Roxanna Panufnik (b.1968) is one of the most versatile and beloved British composers working today. She studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music and since then has written works for opera, ballet, choirs, orchestras and chamber music as well as for film and television that are seen and heard around the world. She is probably best-known for her ‘Coronation Sanctus’ commissioned by King Charles III for his Coronation service.
Thanks to her hybrid heritage, she has a great love of music from a variety of cultures and different faiths. Her mission to build musical bridges between the three Abrahamic faiths has resulted in commissions from The World Orchestra for Peace in Jerusalem and the BBC Last Night of the Proms.
In 2021, she was awarded the Gloria Artis Merit to Culture Bronze Medal (from the Polish Minister of Culture, National Heritage and Sport) and in 2023 a Coronation Medal by the UK Nation for her services to the Coronation. In 2024 Roxanna received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Works Collection.
Her works are published by Peters Edition Ltd/Wise Music Classical and recorded on many labels including Signum, Decca, Warner Classics, Chandos, and EMI Classics.
Biography
Roxanna Panufnik is one of the most versatile and beloved British composers working today. She studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music and since then has written works for opera, ballet, music theatre, choral works, orchestral and chamber compositions as well as music for film and television that are seen and heard around the world.
Thanks to her hybrid heritage, she has a great love of music from a variety of cultures and different faiths. Her mission to build musical bridges between the three Abrahamic faiths has resulted in commissions from The World Orchestra for Peace in Jerusalem and the BBC for the 2018 Last Night on the Proms.
Roxanna's 50th Birthday year saw some exciting commissions and premieres. As well as the BBC Proms, the oratorio Faithful Journey- a Mass for Poland for City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Poland, marked Poland's centenary as an independent state.
Recent commissions include Across the Line of Dreams for two conductors, two choirs and symphony orchestra premiered by Marin Alsop and Valentina Peleggi with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Ever Us commissioned by the Rundfunkchor Berlin, for 10 choirs and symphony orchestra to premiere in 2024/2025. Her operas, Silver Birch and Dalia (winning an 'Excellence in Musical Theatre Award' ) commissioned by Garsington Opera received audience and critical acclaim.
Recent premieres include the reworking of her father Andrzej Panufnik's Five Polish Folk Songs for City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. She was commissioned by King Charles III to Coronation Sanctus for his Coronation in May 2023. Imminent premieres include a song cycle Gallery of Memories co-commissioned by the Oxford Lieder and Presteigne Festivals (for which she is 2023 composer in residence). Roxanna is Associate Composer with the London Mozart Players and Composer-in-Residence with VOCES8.
Roxanna's compositions are published by Peters Edition Ltd and recorded on many labels including Warner Classics, Signum, Chandos, and EMI Classics.
News
- Roxanna Panufnik In Focus with RNCM
- 30th April 2025
- RNCM invites Roxanna Panufnik as part of their In Focus series.
- Das Jahr: A Panufnik World Premiere this weekend
- 20th March 2025
- The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment present 'Das Jahr' this weekend, a concert featuring brand new compositions by four female composers including Roxanna Panufnik, inspired by Fanny Mendelssohn's piano work.
- Panufnik World Premiere in Manila
- 7th February 2025
- Roxanna Panufnik's World Premiere at the Warsaw-Manila Peace Tribute concert.
- Roxanna Panufnik's world premiere at Wigmore Hall
- 14th November 2024
- Roxanna Panufnik's 'Seven Heavens' for Brass Septet receives its World Premiere on Saturday.
- Winners at the Ivors Classical 2024 Awards Ceremony
- 13th November 2024
- Wise Music Group composers received a range of awards at last night's Ivors ceremony.
- World Premiere of Roxanna Panufnik's 'The Faithful Gazelle'
- 28th June 2024
- Roxanna Panufnik's 'The Faithful Gazelle' receives its World Premiere on Monday at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Performances
21st June 2025
- PERFORMERS
- Fulham Symphony Orchestra
- CONDUCTOR
- Marc Dooley
- LOCATION
- Smith Square Hall, London, United Kingdom
4th July 2025
- PERFORMERS
- Chetham's Schoolof Music
- LOCATION
- Stoller Hall, Manchester, United Kingdom
22nd July 2025
- SOLOISTS
- Gweneth Ann Rand soprano; Simon Lepper piano
- LOCATION
- Wigmore Hall, London, United Kingdom
2nd October 2025
- SOLOISTS
- Matilda Lloyd, trumpet
- PERFORMERS
- The Gesualdo Six
- LOCATION
- Wigmore Hall, London, United Kingdom
Features
- Brilliant Concert Openers for Non-Professional Orchestras
- Discover music to begin your concert suitable for performance by amateur orchestras
- Celebrating Women Composers
- Join Wise Music Group in celebrating the works of our female composers with this new brochure for 2024
- Curtain-Up | Concert Openers
- Explore engaging, creative, and captivating orchestral openers for your upcoming programs. Set the stage for memorable musical experiences after the curtain comes up.