Krzysztof Penderecki,
born in Dębica on 23 November 1933.
One of the greatest composers of the second half of the 20th century. His extensive works exemplify the synthesis of the language of both avant-garde and tradition by including instrumental, oratorio and operatic works. The most important works which have had their first world performances include the following: Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima (1960), St. Luke's Passion (1966), Dies irae (1967), Utrenja (1970-1971), Cosmogonia (1970); operas: The Devils of Loudun (1968 - 1969), Paradise Lost (1976-1978), The Black Mask (1984-1986), Ubu Rex (1990-1991); Polish Requiem (1980-1993). Selected instrumental works: Symphony No. 1(1972), No.2 (1980), No. 3 (1995), No. 4 (1989), No. 5 (1992); Violin Concerto (for Isaak Stern, 1977), Cello Concerto No. 2 (for Mstislav Rostropovich, 1982), Flute Concerto (for Jean-Pierre Rampal, 1992), Sinfonietta per archi (1992), Metamorphoses. Violin Concerto No.2 (for Anne-Sophie Mutter, 1992-1995).
Recently, Krzysztof Penderecki finished two oratorio works: Seven Gates of Jerusalem, 1996 (ordered to celebrate the 3,000 years of the city) and Credo (first performance in July of 1998 during the Bach Festival in Oregon, conducted by Helmut Rilling).
In 1972, Krzysztof Penderecki commenced his conductor's career leading the most famous orchestras (e.g. Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, Norddeutscher Rundfunk Orchester in Hamburg, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester in Leipzig, NHK in Tokio, Osaka Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic).
Since 1993, he has been the Artistic Director of the Pablo Casals Festival in San Juan (Puerto Rico). As a professor, he has primarily been associated with his home Academy of Music in Kraków (since 1958: Professor; 1972-87: Chancellor). In 1966-68, he was a lecturer at Volkwang Hochschule für Musik in Essen; 1972-78: Professor of Yale University School of Music. Member of Royal Academy of Music in London, Akademie der Künste in Berlin, Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires, Académie Internationale de Philosophie et de l'Art in Bern, Polish Academy of Science, Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. Winner of many prizes and awards, including Medicean Award, Sibelius Award, Herder Award, Jurzykowski Award, Karl Wolf Israeli Foundation Award. Holder of honorary doctorates granted by e.g., the Universities of Rochester, Leuven, Bordeaux, Belgrade, Poznań, Warsaw, Glasgow and Georgetown University in Washington.
He lives in Kraków, Poland and Lucerne, Switzerland.
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