World premiere of Penderecki’s “La Follia" at Carnegie Hall

The world premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki’s “La Follia” was held on Saturday at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The audience gave a rapturous welcome to both the composer and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, who performed the work.
“She played phenomenally, I put this performance into the best hands and I couldn’t have expected a better one. She is the world’s greatest woman violinist today," said Krzysztof Penderecki to the PAP news agency after the concert. He also admitted that he doesn’t know anyone “who can play better technically, to say nothing of her musicality, perfect performance and commitment”.
“La Follia” is a work for solo violin. The composer wrote it on the occasion of Anne-Sophie Mutter’s 50th birthday. The German violinist decided to premiere it during the Saturday concert at Carnegie Hall, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of her debut in one of the world’s most prestigious concert halls.
Penderecki called “La Follia” a virtuoso piece that is very difficult to perform. At the same time, he complimented the violinist by describing her as a “virtuoso of the highest order”. She complained that the piece is extremely difficult, he admitted.
“Indeed, it is very difficult. Before I began to compose I was a violinist, so I know this instrument very well. I am very happy that Anne-Sophie Mutter is the first performer of this piece," he said.
Despite the adverse weather, the audience packed Carnegie Hall’s largest concert hall, the Isaac Stern Auditorium, almost to capacity. The concert received a standing ovation.