Penderecki conducts L’Aquila earthquake anniversary concert
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
10.04.2015 12:02
Renowned Polish composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki conducted Solisti Aquilani in L’Aquila, central Italy, Thursday, in a concert marking the sixth anniverary of the earthquake in the region of Abruzzo.
Photo: cc/wikimedia/TheWiz83
The earthquake, which took place on 6 April 2009, left 308 people dead, with almost 2,000 suffering injuries and leaving some 80,000 people homeless.
In addition to Dmitri Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony, the programme featured five works by Penderecki, including the Chaconne for strings, written after the death of John Paul II ten years ago and dedicated to the memory of the Polish Pope.
Penderecki’s forthcoming engagement is in Warsaw’s National Opera on Monday, 13 April. He will conduct Sinfonia Varsovia in a gala concert to mark the orchestra’s 30th anniversary.
The programme includes Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony and Penderecki’s Third. “It’s the longest and most difficult of all my symphonies, with a grand finale,” the 81-year-old composer told journalists. Penderecki serves as Sinfonia Varsovia’s Artistic Director. (mk/jb)