Symphonic concert: Poulenc | Penderecki

Composed between 1927 and 1928, Francis Poulenc's Concert champêtre is one of the most original works in concert literature of the 20th century, inspired by the legendary harpsichordist Wanda Landowska. The eponymous “village concert” refers to the French harpsichord music of the Baroque era and the pastoral and court traditions of the past centuries. Poulenc masterfully combined here the neoclassical clarity of form with the modern, colorful harmonica and lightness typical of the Parisian avant-garde of that period. The work is characterized by a sophisticated play of contrasts — the delicate, percussive sound of the solo harpsichord meets the powerful, sometimes even aggressive inputs of an extensive orchestra, especially the brass and brass sections.

Written at the turn of 1979 and 1980, Krzysztof Penderecki's 2nd Christmas Symphony represents one of the most important turning points in the work of the Polish composer, marking his official departure from the radical avant-garde to the late Romantic tradition. The subtitle of the song refers to the subtle introduction into the musical fabric of the theme of the old Christmas carol Silent Night several times. The work, framed within the framework of one monumental part, is filled with a dense, dark atmosphere, drama and deep anxiety. Penderecki uses traditional sound language, referring to the legacy of Anton Bruckner or Gustav Mahler, creating a tense story about the struggle of light and darkness, which moves the listener with its emotional directness.