Composed in 1966 The Passion According to St. Luke is one of the most important achievements of 20th century music.

Although it was created in a specific context of the millennial anniversary of Christianity in the communist Poland, it rises above temporary circumstances, turning to universal questions. It is a monumental sound drama in which Penderecki – a master of intricately woven musical images – showed the suffering and condition of a person, thus creating a moving portrait of human nature.

PROGRAMME:

Krzysztof Penderecki (1933–2020)

The Passion According to St. Luke
(Passio et Mors Domini Nostri Iesu Christi secundum Lucam)

for three soloists, narrator, boys’ choir, three mixed choirs and orchestra [76’]

libretto: Krzysztof Penderecki – after Gospel of Luke, Psalms, Book of Lamentations, Gospel of John (excerpts from Latin translations) and liturgical texts from the 1949 Roman Missal
(1966)

Part I

O Crux, ave
Et egressus ibat
Deus, Deus meus
Domine, quis habitabit
Adhuc eo loquente ecce turba
Ierusalem, Ierusalem
Ut quid, Domine
Comprehendentes autem eum duxerunt
Iudica me, Deus
Et viri, qui tenebant illum
Ierusalem, Ierusalem
Miserere mei, Deus
Et surgens omnis multitudo

Part II

…et in pulverem mortis
Popule meus
…ibi crucifixerunt eum
Crux fidelis
…in pulverem mortis
Et stabat populus spectans
Unus autem de his
Stabant autem iuxta crucem Iesu mater eius
Stabat Mater dolorosa
Erat autem fere hora sexta
In te, Domine, speravi

_____

PERFORMERS:

Karol Szymanowski Krakow Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra

Polish Radio Choir – Lusławice

Boys’ Choir of the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic in Krakow

Ukrainian Boys’ and Girls’ Choir of the Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra

Maciej Tworek
conductor

Iwona Hossa
soprano

Mariusz Godlewski
baritone

Artur Janda
bass

Krzysztof Gosztyła
narrator

Janusz Wierzgacz
preparation of the Karol Szymanowski Krakow Philharmonic Choir

Dawid Ber
preparation of the Polish Radio Choir – Lusławice

Lidia Matynian
preparation of the Cracow Philharmonic Boys’ and Girls’ Choir

Olena Yatskulynets
preparation of the Ukrainian Boys and Girls Choir of the Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra

Organizers:

Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund – a state special-purpose fund, as part of the “Music” program, implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance