This was the piece that launched Krzysztof Penderecki on a European career.
Anaklasis
00:00
00:07:52
Orkiestra Filharmonii Krakowskiej
Wojciech Czepiel, conductor
DUX 0475
As a reaction to the premiere of Anaklasis at the key new music festival in Donaueschingen, the audience split into two hostile camps. Some whistled, others applauded, and the conductor called the composer back many times. It was only the (unprecedented) performance of the whole work as an encore that convinced the opponents, and Europe became Penderecki’s oyster from then on. He achieved this with a piece only several minutes long, featuring a classical arch-formed dramaturgy. The string orchestra opens and closes the music, while the central section is an inspiring concert display of percussion instruments.