Work of the Week - Krzysztof Penderecki: St. Luke Passion

Conducted by the composer himself, the Dresden Philharmonic will perform Krzysztof Penderecki’s "St. Luke Passion" on the 26 and 27 March. The monumental work will feature performances by Sandra Trattnigg (soprano), Artur Rucinski (baritone), Tomasz Konienczny (bass-baritone), Ahmad Mesgarha (narator), the MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig and the Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden.

Commissioned by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk, the 1966 world premiere at the Cathedral of Münster in Westphalia resulted in international fame for the composer. Penderecki’s use of liturgical texts from the gospel’s of Luke and John in conjunction with the composer’s avant-guarde music of dense cluster, microtonality and serial techniques created a serious impact and the work was awarded both the Nordrhein-Westfalen grand prize in 1966 and the Prix Italia in 1967. The full title of the work is Passio Et Mors Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Secundum Lucam (The death and suffering of our lord Jesus Christ according to Luke) but is commonly known as "St. Luke Passion"; as a tribute to the great passion works of JS Bach, Penderecki's 12 tone series end with a B-A-C-H motif.

My goal was to move away from a static description, away from a pure retelling of the gospel. The passion comes from it’s approach, a dynamic and sometimes fundamental experience. (Krzysztof Penderecki)

The concert will be recorded by the Deutschlandradio Kultur and is broadcasted on April 18 at the beginning of the Holy Week.

• Krzysztof Penderecki - Profile
• Website of the Dresden Philharmonic