Penderecki’s China

Penderecki to premier two works in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

By Chris Gordon

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: February 20, 2013 (Issue # 1747)

FOR SPT Krzysztof Penderecki in 2010 conducting at the Janacek May Day concert in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Krzysztof Penderecki, the Polish composer who shot to fame in 1960 at the tender age of 27 with his “Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima,” will appear at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic on Saturday, conducting a program of his own compositions.

Penderecki is a regular guest conductor at the Philharmonic and Saturday’s concert is dedicated to the composer’s 80th birthday. The program, which is part of the Two Days of Polish Music festival, will include the St. Petersburg premiere of the composer’s “Winterreise” (2007-2009), a concerto for horn and orchestra, and “Three Chinese Songs” (2004), a setting of Chinese poetry for baritone and orchestra. Penderecki’s “Symphony No. 3” (1988-1995) will also be performed.

Perhaps best known to audiences outside the concert hall for the way his music has been used in horror films from “The Exorcist” and “The Shining” on to David Lynch’s “Inland Empire,” Penderecki ‘s early works explored the recreation of electronic sounds by the orchestra and were a perfect fit for film makers looking to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Today the composer focuses more on classical forms and deepening his exploration of the symphony orchestra’s sonic palate while continuing to conduct at concert halls around the world.

Penderecki’s concert will be followed by a program of music by his compatriot Witold Lutoslawski on Sunday, which closes the festival.

Krzysztof Penderecki will perform at

7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the

St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Main Hall (2 Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa, tel. 710 4257). www.philharmonia.spb.ru