Szymon Emil Parulski

Szymon Emil Parulski began learning the clarinet in Płock (Poland), in the class of Jacek Grochocki, and continued his training at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice (class of Prof. Arkadiusz Adamski). He later moved to Switzerland to pursue advanced studies at the Hochschule für Musik FHNW / Musik-Akademie Basel, where he completed the Master of Arts in Specialised Musical Performance (Soloist) in the class of Prof. François Benda. These years of study shaped both his technical foundation and a broad artistic outlook, combining the classical tradition with a strong interest in the demands of modern performance practice.

Following his studies, he gained international recognition through major competition results, including First Prize at the International Clarinet Competition “Saverio Mercadante” (Noci, 2021) and Third Prize at the Ghent International Clarinet Competition (2022). Further distinctions include Second Prize at the International Clarinet Competition in Porto and First Prize at the Förderpreis der Basler Orchester-Gesellschaft. These awards reflect a consistent presence on the international scene and mark important milestones in his artistic development.

As a soloist, Parulski has appeared with ensembles including Sinfonieorchester Basel, Kammerorchester Basel, Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen, and the Płock Symphony Orchestra. In February 2026 he performed Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622 with the Bayerische Philharmonie under Mark Mast (Freudenstadt and Munich). His concerto work stands alongside the responsibilities of orchestral playing, and his programming brings together the classical repertoire with music of the 20th and 21st centuries, reflecting the versatility expected of a contemporary clarinetist.

Alongside his solo work, Parulski has developed a strong orchestral profile. He has appeared as guest principal clarinet with La Monnaie / De Munt in Brussels and has performed with the Verbier Festival Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, appearing at major European venues and festivals including the Verbier Festival, Salzburg Festival, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, and BOZAR Brussels. In these projects he has collaborated with conductors such as Teodor Currentzis, Sir Simon Rattle, Klaus Mäkelä, Sir Antonio Pappano, Manfred Honeck, and Vasily Petrenko. From September 2026, he is appointed Solo Clarinet of the Berner Symphonieorchester.

Recital and chamber music activity form an essential part of his artistic life. He has appeared in venues such as Miry Concertzaal in Ghent and at the Sinfonia Varsovia headquarters in Warsaw, and has performed Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet with the Zemlinsky Quartet. He is equally at home in mixed chamber ensembles and larger wind projects, valuing chamber music as a space for close musical dialogue, detailed listening, and long-form musical storytelling.

Parulski’s discography includes Weber: Clarinet Concerto No. 1 (recorded live from the Ghent competition finals) and Lutosławski: Dance Preludes (DUX). Penderecki: Clarinet in Dialogue — monographic album devoted to Krzysztof Penderecki’s clarinet music (out in 2027).

His work has been supported by awards and scholarships including the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, the Sinfonia Varsovia Foundation Scholarship, and Poland’s Młoda Polska (Young Poland) scholarship for young artists.