Krzysztof Penderecki, the great Polish composer

 Krzysztof Penderecki

The recent death of Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki is a great loss to the international music world. But he is not a known figure in India. Penderecki is one of the most celebrated composers in the world. As well as he has won multiple Grammy Awards for his work. In a tweet, the Polish Ministry of Culture calls him ‘one of the greatest Polish musicians‘. And a ‘world-class authority in the field of classical music‘.

His music is part of films such as The Exorcist, The Shining and Wild at Heart. And one of his best-known compositions is dedicated to the victims of the American nuclear attack on Hiroshima. Penderecki’s music is naturally vibrant, sensual and with a very personal sense of architecture. Majority of his music is not for the faint of heart. So with intense drama (even in his non-stage works), this music occupies a sound world that can often sound as terrifying to an average listener.

If you want to taste it, please check his compositions in Youtube. And for a quick reference, I also share a link below ‘Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima’ ….. enjoy!!!