Symphony_No._2_(Penderecki) References

Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 2
("Christmas")
by Krzysztof Penderecki
	The composer in 2008
Composed	1979–80
Performed	1 May 1980, New York
Duration	30 min.
Movements	1
Scoring	orchestra

Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki wrote his Symphony No. 2 during the winter of 1979–80. Sometimes referred to as the "Christmas Symphony" (the opening phrase from the Christmas carol " Silent Night" occurs three times during the symphony), neither the score nor the parts ( Schott Music, Mainz 45 791) make any reference to this moniker.

Structure

The symphony, lasting 30–35 minutes, is in one movement employing a modified sonata form. Sections are marked: Moderato, Allegretto, Lento, Tempo I and Allegretto.

Instrumentation

Piccolo, flutes (2), oboes (2), cor anglais, clarinets (3 in E flat, with bass clarinets), bassoons (2), contrabassoon, horns (5), trumpets (3), trombones (3), tubas (1), percussion (4 performers: triangle, gong, beck., tamtam, mil. tr., gr. tr., tubular bells, glockenspiel, xylophone), celesta, strings.^[1]

Premiere

The New York Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta, gave the first performance of the symphony on 1 May 1980.^[2]

Recordings

Orchestra	Conductor	Record company	Year of Recording	Format
National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra of Katowice (Polskie Radio. Wielka Orkiestra Symfoniczna w Katowicach)^[3]	Jacek Kasprzyk	Muza	1981	LP
Norddeutscher Rundfunk. Sinfonie-Orchester	Krzysztof Penderecki	Wergo	1994^[4]	CD
National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Katowice)	Antoni Wit	Naxos Records	2000^[5]	CD

References

^ "Schott Music Shop: Penderecki 2. Symphony". Retrieved 2014-06-26.
^ Robinson, Ray. "Krzystof Penderecki: A Guide to His Works". Prestige Publications: Princeton, 1983, p.20.
^ OCLC 81575760
^ "Penderecki Partial Discography at Polmic.pl" (in Polish). Retrieved 2009-01-26. Information elsewhere shows(?) that this was released in 1994 but recorded in 1989, so in any case postdates the Muza recording.
^ OCLC 45109918

[1] "Schott Music Shop: Penderecki 2. Symphony". Retrieved 2014-06-26.

[2] Robinson, Ray. "Krzystof Penderecki: A Guide to His Works". Prestige Publications: Princeton, 1983, p.20.

[3] OCLC 81575760

[4] "Penderecki Partial Discography at Polmic.pl" (in Polish). Retrieved 2009-01-26. Information elsewhere shows(?) that this was released in 1994 but recorded in 1989, so in any case postdates the Muza recording.

[5] OCLC 45109918

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v t e Krzysztof Penderecki
List of compositions
Opera	The Devils of Loudun Paradise Lost Die schwarze Maske Ubu Rex
Symphonies	No. 1 No. 2 "Christmas" No. 3 No. 7 "Seven Gates of Jerusalem" No. 8 "Lieder der Vergänglichkeit"
Orchestral	Emanations Anaklasis Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima Polymorphia De Natura Sonoris The Dream of Jacob
Concertante	Capriccio for Violin and Orchestra Cello Concerto No. 1 Fonogrammi (flute) Partita (harpsichord)
Vocal/Choral	St Luke Passion Utrenja Canticum Canticorum Salomonis Magnificat Polish Requiem Credo Lacrimosa No. 2
Chamber	Three Miniatures for Clarinet and Piano Clarinet Quartet Sextet
Instrumental	Suite (cello) Prelude for Clarinet
Collaborations	Requiem of Reconciliation (Agnus Dei only)
Category

Symphony No. 2
("Christmas")
by Krzysztof Penderecki
The composer in 2008
Composed	1979 (1979)–80
Performed	1 May 1980 (1980-05-01), New York
Duration	30 min.
Movements	1
Scoring	orchestra