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Ceremonies marking the transfer of Krzysztof Penderecki’s ashes to his eternal resting place will be held on Tuesday, 29 March 2022 in Kraków.

Krzysztof Penderecki was an exceptionally important figure for music lovers in Poland and abroad as well as for many musical institutions, but for Jerzy Semkow’s Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra he remained someone much closer than monumental figures admired from afar.

He supported the ensemble from the beginning, trusted its competence, talent and commitment by entrusting his successive works to be performed, worked with it as a conductor and mentor, and, from 2013 until his death, as its Honorary Patron. The ensemble recorded the complete set of his symphonies (6 CDs, 2010-2012) under the baton of the Composer himself, as well as CDs of his solo concertos (6 CDs, 2014-2016). Selected releases from this series received awards, including the International Classical Music Award (2014 and 2016). In 2018, the Orchestra celebrated the release of another CD of his concertos, which turned out to be the last one.

But after all, a great artist never dies – his wonderful works, enchanting in their diversity of invention and sound, carrying sincere emotions and a message of the most beautiful humanity, will remain and return in the Orchestra’s repertoire. Our personal memories, respect and gratitude will last forever.