Symphony No. 2 (Penderecki)

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Recordings[edit]

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[edit]

^ "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