The Jerzy Semkow Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra has worked closely with Krzysztof Penderecki since its inception. He became its Honorary Patron in 2013. The orchestra made numerous recordings with him, and the repertoire of the last record (DUX 1571) consisted of two extremely interesting new arrangements of his famous works, authorised by the composer. Double Concerto for Violin and Cello was performed in a revealing and extremely original version for accordion, showing new sound aspects of this composition. The author of this version and performer is Maciej Frąckiewicz, one of the most eminent accordionists of his generation. The second version was arranged by Bartłomiej Duś, who transposed Penderecki’s Flute Concerto for saxophone. The young but already very significant saxophonist is a graduate of the Academy of Music in Katowice and the Paris Conservatory.

Unfortunately, the recordings made by DUX with the participation of the composer and his close collaborator Maciej Tworek as conductor were the last time when the Jerzy Semkow Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra in Warsaw had an opportunity to collaborate with Krzysztof Penderecki and it closed an impressive series of phonographic recordings of the set of symphonies and concertos of the Maestro who died on 29 March 2020.

It is a great joy and honour for our Orchestra that the record has been granted a Fryderyk award in the Album of the Year – Concerto Music category (the other album, with Roman Palester’s Concertinos, was also nominated for the award, which was also our reason for great joy and pride!). It strongly motivates our ensemble to work further on presenting the greatest repertoire of Polish music in particular, including valuable premiere performances and recordings, such as the ones on both distinguished albums.