Ciaccona

Since its world premiere in 1984, the Polish Requiem by Krzysztof Penderecki has undergone numerous modifications and additions. Hardly any other of his works has preoccupied the composer as much as this one. Being an expression of Penderecki's attachment to his home country, the Polish Requiem is seen by him not only as a political but also as a religious confession. Deeply moved by the death of Pope John Paul II who, uniquely, combined religion and politics in his person and shaped the image of Poland throughout the world, Krzysztof Penderecki is now working on an additional part to his Polish Requiem which will be dedicated to the memory of the late Pope.