Famed Polish composer Penderecki dies aged 86

Poland’s leading composer and conductor, Krzysztof Penderecki, died yesterday at the aged of 86 after a “long and serious illness”, sources close to his family said. In a statement the Ludwig van Beethoven Association called Penderecki a “Great Pole, an outstanding creator and a humanist”, who was one of the world’s best appreciated Polish composers.

The association was founded by Penderecki’s wife, Elzbieta Penderecka, and the statement was signed by its head, Andrzej Giza.

A giant of contemporary music, Mr Penderecki experimented with sound and form in the 1950s and 1960s, but then turned to classic forms like symphonies and oratorios such as Threnody For

The Victims Of Hiroshima and Seven Gates Of Jerusalem.

His music was also used in films, including Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island.

He also taught young musicians and built an education and concert centre in Luslawice in southern Poland, across the road from his home.

Mr Penderecki counted trees among his passions, and had tree species from around the world planted at his home.

Celebrated in Poland and abroad, he won four Grammy Awards over the course of his career, most recently taking home the award for best choral performance in 2016.

Penderecki’s music was used in films and he was a multiple Grammy winner