Te Deum by Kilar and Penderecki

Wojciech Kilar and Krzysztof Penderecki rewrote “Te Deum”, the medieval hymn of praise, over thirty years apart. Two versions, two musical concepts, two different worlds – this is how the 11th Festival of Polish Music ended in Kraków.
Kilar and Penderecki are two musical worlds, but there is something that connects them in “Te Deum”. It’s a tendency to harvest the benefits of the past, for here the musical language makes ample references to the tradition of the great Renaissance and Baroque masters. This also means setting them in the present and looking ahead with inventive musical ideas (different, but so characteristic of the work of these two composers).
How did they sound during the Festival in Kraków?
“The finale of the Festival of Polish Music was spectacular above all because of the splendid performances. Sinfonia Varsovia, the Kraków Philharmonic Choir (choir master Teresa Majka-Pacanek) and the quartet of soloists (Anna Patrys, Anna Lubańska, Ondrej Šaling, Adam Palka) were conducted by Maciej Tworek,” writes journalist Anna Woźniakowska (www.polskamuza.eu)
“Te Deum is Kilar’s late work from 2008. His musical language is highly simplified, and the numerous archaisms and repetitions give the music a hieratic aspect. The solo parts are reminiscent of prayer recitatives and the whole is static, taking place as if beyond time. Maciej Tworek aptly highlighted this sonic mantric persistence with successive repetitions, thus building dramatic tension. The thirty-five years older Te Deum by Penderecki is more imploring than triumphant, written in a diametrically different musical language which, as usual with this composer, carries drama and kaleidoscopic alterations of expression. Here Maciej Tworek again proved his deep musical sensitivity, the ability to impose his extremely emotional vision of the presented works on both the performers and the audience. It came as no surprise that moved by the music and its interpretation, we long applauded with thanks for genuine thrills,” writes Woźniakowska.
The final concert of the 11th Festival of Polish Music took place on 18 July at St Catherine’s Church in Kraków.
Photo Anna Kaczmarz, Festival of Polish Music