The Mazowsze National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble has transformed its 600-seat concert hall into a fully immersive 360 performance space, becoming Poland’s first to combine L-ISA technology with L-Acoustics’ newest L Series progressive ultra-dense line array loudspeakers.
The transformation, themed New Sound of Tradition, centres on an L-Acoustics L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound system that brings Poland’s rich musical traditions to life with new-found clarity and depth.
Founded in 1949 and recognised globally as an ambassador for Polish culture, Mazowsze has consistently balanced preservation with innovation in its mission to share Poland’s folk heritage. While the ensemble’s intricate costumes, traditional choreography and authentic musical arrangements honour centuries of cultural legacy, Mazowsze has embraced technological advancement to amplify the impact of its work.
The latest sound system upgrade marks another significant milestone, introducing the L Series loudspeaker system in combination with L-ISA immersive technology. The extensive audio upgrade encompasses both the main concert hall and the venue’s lobby spaces, ensuring a high-quality sound experience throughout the facility. This configuration creates an enveloping sound environment that brings new dimension to traditional folk performance, while maintaining the authenticity that is central to Mazowsze’s mission.
The project is the result of a comprehensive technology audit led by Sound Director and engineer Krzysztof Polesinski in collaboration with Mazowsze’s Creative Sound Director, Piotr Przedbora. After extensive research into L-Acoustics newly launched L2 progressive ultra-dense line source array, including detailed auditions in Italy and a rigorous tender process, Poland’s L-Acoustics distributor Audio Plus helped to bring this project to life.
‘Our mission was to create a sound system worthy of Mazowsze’s extraordinary artistic legacy, while honouring the sound design principles established by the late Ewa Więckowska-Kosmala, who we had the honour to work with many times.’ says Audio Plus Marketing Director, Pawel Kuhn. ‘L-ISA technology doesn’t just break traditional audio boundaries – it eliminates them entirely, offering an acoustic experience that wraps around the audience in a complete sphere of sound, bringing them closer to the heart of Polish folk tradition than ever before. And of course, this is Poland’s first installation using the newest L-Acoustics product – the L2D progressive line source. This, in conjunction with L-ISA immersive technology, brings Mazowsze’s sound to a new level.’
The installation presented formidable technical challenges, including the modification of a 4-ton ceiling sound barrier to accommodate the loudspeaker array. Using L-Acoustics Soundvision software, Polesinski designed an intricate audio architecture that precisely maps sound throughout the three-dimensional space. The venue’s folding seat system, which compacts into two towers, provided crucial flexibility during the complex three-month installation.
The main concert hall sound design creates a true 360° soundscape through a precisely orchestrated network of L-Acoustics technology. Seven individual L2D line source arrays provide detailed Scene System coverage, while fifteen 5XT coaxial speakers spread across the stage lip provide spatial front fill. Six KS21 subwoofers in a cardioid configuration ensure controlled, low frequency coverage throughout. Twenty-one X8 and seven X15 coaxial speakers are placed around the audience, one X15 and four X8 on each of the sides, five X15 in the back and a further thirteen X8 overhead to complete the three-dimensional soundfield, allowing sound designers to place individual instruments and voices anywhere within the sonic canvas. Onstage, A10, X12 and X8 loudspeakers provide monitoring for the performers. The system is powered by an L-ISA Processor II and P1 processor, ten LS10 switches, and 11 LA7.16 amplified controllers.
‘This immersive sound environment represents a transformative moment in how traditional folk music can be experienced,’ says conductor and General Manager, Jacek Boniecki. ‘While technology can never replace the soul of artistry, it can dramatically amplify its emotional impact. With L-ISA technology, every nuance of each musician’s performance is perfectly clear within the soundscape. The ability to place sounds precisely in three-dimensional space creates an unprecedented intimacy between performers and audience, allowing us to touch hearts and minds in ways we never could before.’
‘With this technology, the listener can be a part of the event, while for production it opens up completely new possibilities. We can be more creative. We can work even better on each instrument, because suddenly we can hear more details,’ Polesinski adds.
‘We’ve moved beyond a simple technological upgrade into a new realm of artistic possibility,’ says Przedbora. ‘By surrounding our audience in a complete sphere of sound, we’re not just moving beyond stereo – we’re creating a three-dimensional sonic environment where every voice, every instrument, and every musical gesture can be precisely placed and moved throughout the space. With Mazowsze, we’ve created a venue where Poland’s rich musical heritage can be experienced with unprecedented immediacy and emotional impact. The only limit now is our imagination.’
Spectators have already described the experience as ‘revolutionary’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘unlike anything in traditional folk performance’. Many note how the immersive sound creates an intimate connection with the performers while maintaining the grandeur and spectacle that has made Mazowsze legendary.
More: www.l-acoustics.com
