„When I’m in Poland,” Tomasz Konieczny said after accepting the award, „I try to introduce the German repertoire to the public, especially the works of Wagner. When I travel abroad, I take Polish music with me. During the promotion of the Baltic Opera Festival in New York, we presented, among others, Stanisław Moniuszko’s songs from the album I recorded with Lech Napierała. I am convinced that this is the best way to promote Polish culture—by showing it to the world alongside the greatest works of the world repertoire.” (Orfeo)