Penderecki’s album triumphs in Cannes

The album “Capriccio” which features performances of works by Polish composer, Krzysztof Penderecki has won a prize at the annual Midem Classical award ceremony held in the sumptuous Debussy Theatre of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. The recording triumphed in the Contemporary Music category. This is actually the second honor bestowed on this album as it also recently won Belgium’s Les Crescendo Joker Award.
Midem is an international organization that promotes music by organizing trade fairs and conferences that enable industry professionals to network with each other and promote themselves. The annual award ceremony that they host is considered to be one of the most prestigious in the world.

“Capriccio” was performed exclusively by Polish musicians. Soloists, Patrycja Piekutowska (violin) and Krakow-based Beata Bilinska (piano), were ably supported by the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the composer himself.

The album features three compositions that together represent a snapshot of Penderecki’s career to date. The first two compositions, “Capriccio for Violin and Orchestra” (1967) and “De Natura Honoris II” (1971) date from a period when the composer was experimenting with unconventional sound textures in an attempt to portray raw emotion. The album closes with a performance of the recent work, the Zmartwychwstanie (“Resurrection”) Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (2001/2002), which reflects Penderecki’s continued interest in religious themes.

This is not the first time that Midem have recognized Penderecki. He was voted the “Greatest Living Composer” by the same organization back in 2000.
Midem have also recognized Polish musicians before. Recordings featuring pianist, Krystian Zimerman and the conductor, Antoni Wit have triumphed in recent years. But these recordings were released by foreign labels and this is the first time that a disc released by a Polish label (in this case, DUX) has been honored at the awards.

The musicians involved on the recording have been invited by Midem to further promote “Capriccio” by performing in a concert devoted to the works of Penderecki.