Krzysztof Penderecki: Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland

President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen awarded Krzysztof Penderecki with the insignia of the Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland. The presentation ceremony was held at the residence of the Ambassador of Finland, Vesa Himanen on 24th November 2008, in the presence of the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bogdan Zdrojewski.
The award received by Krzysztof Penderecki is an expression of acknowledgment of his long-term efforts and personal involvement in building mutual ties between Poland and Finland, and the composer’s partiality to the nature of Finland and its inspiring capacities.
The result of Krzysztof Penderecki’s activity in Finland included cooperation with Lahti Symphony Orchestra, which he frequently conducted. The recording of Penderecki’s works by Tapiola Chamber Choir was named the best choral recording of 1996. Moreover, Maestro Penderecki has been a frequent guest at the Naantali Music Festival and other music events in Finland.
Krzysztof Penderecki recently completed a Sonata for cello for Arto Noras, a Finnish cellist very well known to international audiences. Its world premiere shall take place at the Naantali Music Festival in 2009.
Krzysztof Penderecki is highly esteemed by Finland’s musical milieu. He was awarded The Sibelius Award by the Wihuri Foundation already in 1983.
Source of the Polish text: www.mk.gov.pl/dziennikarze