The great, the magnificent, the occasionally utterly terrifying Penderecki, one of the most viscerally thrilling composers of the 20th century (in his early work at least), has died at the age of 86.
Penderecki kept busy right into his eighties, but it's his music from the 1960s - early 70s that will remain the most celebrated, certainly by me, for its sheer power, brutality and unearthly beauty. Like many people, I first came to Pendercki's music through its use in film & TV; Kubrick and Friedkin in particular knew how effectively music this unsettling could enhance psychological horror to a degree that little other music could. Most recently, I remember sitting dumbfounded at the single most avant-garde hour of TV I've ever seen, courtesy of David Lynch, with a perfectly-placed Threnody To The Victims Of Hiroshima soundtracking the Trinity nuclear test.
The original recording of Threnody is here on Disc 2 of this collection, kicking off 48 minutes of some of Penderecki's most mind-melting early music. Polymorphy, String Quartet No. 1 and Psalms Of David are also featured in their original 1960s recordings, ending with Dimensions Of Time And Slience, recorded in 1972. And the main feature of this collection is the St Luke Passion from 1966; whilst not quite as blood-curdlingly extreme as Utrenja, it definitely has its hair-raising moments. Farewell, then, to one of the most singular and stunning composers of all time. More Penderecki next week.
Disc 1 link
Disc 2 link
pw: sgtg
Previously posted at SGTG:
Utrenja
Symphony No. 2
Compilation of EMI recordings
Penderecki and Manu Dibango in one week. That's tough. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated
ReplyDeleteTaking this opportunity; the passing of one of the most incredible musical voices of our time, to again thank you for the writing and music you have been sharing. Really appreciate your point of view.
ReplyDeleteAlways excited to see a new post on the SGTG site.
Thanks Bjorn!
DeleteAB