Bernard Chmielarz is a composer, arranger, conductor, and instrumentalist who graduated from the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music (formerly the Chopin Academy of Music) in Warsaw. He worked as a double bassist in the Polish Radio and Television Orchestra in Warsaw from 1985-1986 and then in the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra from 1986 to 2007. As an instrumentalist and conductor, he has collaborated with various Warsaw theatres, including the Polish Theatre, the Contemporary Theatre, the Ateneum Theatre, and the National Theatre.

In 2005, he started work on a musical television programme called “Co tu jest grane?” [What’s being played?], in which he worked alongside director Jacek Kęcik and pianist Waldemar Malicki. Two years later, the programme evolved into the music show 'Filharmonia Dowcipu' [The Philharmonic of Wit], which aired regularly on Polish Television.

Bernard Chmielarz served as the musical director, conductor, and composer/arranger for all the music used in the programme.  Performances of 'Filharmonia Dowcipu' have been featured multiple times on Polish Television (also under the title 'Laskowik & Malicki'), as well as at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland (2014) and during a tour of China (2017).

Bernard Chmielarz has hosted and prepared numerous special event concerts for TVP, including the Sports Champions Galas (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), the Gala commemorating the 100^th anniversary of Polish Motion Pictures, and a performance dedicated to Marek Grechuta. He was the music director of the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole in 2010 and orchestrated Kenji Kawai’s music for the Polish-Japanese film ‘Avalon’ (2000), directed by Mamoru Oshii.

Bernard Chmielarz is the author of hundreds of arrangements, including Villa Lobos' works recorded by the chamber orchestra of the Academy of Saint Martin of the Fields conducted by José Maria Florencio, featuring guitarist Krzysztof Mesinger (Melodia Sentimental, 2013). He also arranged works by Astor Piazzolla for Krzysztof Meisinger with Sinfonia Varsovia (Astor, 2016) and with Capella Bydgosiensis (Soledad, 2009).

Additionally, Bernard Chmielarz’s arrangements are frequently performed by the renowned pianist Waldemar Malicki, including on the album ‘El Tango’, which features music by Astor Piazzolla for piano and orchestra (performed by the Little Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski).

In the Chopin year of 2010, Bernard Chmielarz composed Tangos for piano and string quintet based on themes by Frederic Chopin, including the Waltz in C sharp minor and Prelude in E minor.

Bernard Chmielarz’s repertoire of orchestral and chamber music compositions includes:  the Paraphrase of a Mazurka from Stanisław Moniuszko’s ‘Haunted Manor’ for piano and string orchestra (2019), Ostinato for string orchestra (2003), Introduction and Allegro for string orchestra (2002), Sounds of Europe - Instrumental Suite for 9 Instruments (2003), Piano Trio (2002), Crazy Taxi Driver’s Song for soprano saxophone/clarinet and piano (2004), Kurdeweil for alto saxophone and piano (1998), Songs for Children to lyrics by Eve Zelenay (1997) featuring the well-known song ‘In the Maze of My City’, and Suite of Carols in the style of various composers for piano and symphony orchestra (1999-2000).
For the Olsztyn ensemble Pro Musica Antiqua, he composed cycles of miniatures, including Castle Epigram, Forest Fantasia, Masurian Suite for flute, oboe, bassoon and harpsichord, and Morning of a Faun for flute and marimba (2019).

His songs and arrangements have been recorded on over a dozen CDs.