Krzysztof Penderecki In Armenia

[Aratta-Kingdom]

KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI: I AM GLAD TO BE IN THE LAND OF MY ANCESTORS

 

Noyan Tapan

April 8, 2008

 

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The famous Polish composer Krzysztof

Penderecki arrived in Yerevan on April 7. He told reporters that

he considers his first visit to Armenia as "return home", as his

grandmother was an Armenian emigrant from Isfahan.

 

"I am very grateful for the invitation to visit Armenia. I have been

waiting for this visit quite long - for 75 years since my birthday. I

tried to come to Armenia in the 1960s but I failed. Now I am very glad

to be in the land of my ancestors. This visit is a return home to me".

 

Penderecki has come to Armenia to participate in Week of Penderecki

orgaized within the framework of the international music festival

"Prospects of the 21st Century" held on April 7-12. During these

days the Armenian music lovers will have an exceptional opportunity

to listen to works of the Polish composer at the concerts conducted

by him. The living legend of classic art has brought famous musicians

from ten countries with him.

 

K. Penderecki said that he has had no occasion to mix with Armenian

composers, except for Aram Khachatrian, whom he received at his

home. "At that time I was a follower of the avant-garde movement, and

Khachatrian's music seemed a kind of old and too classic to me. Later,

during my second meeting with him, I performed his Violin Concert in

Warsaw," Penderecki recalled (at first he was a violinist).

 

In response to the question of whether his Stabat Mater resembles

Armenian Liturgy, the composer replied: "Perhaps. When was a child,

grandmother used to take me to Armenian church, maybe there is a

resemblance, I cannot say".

 

Work is the real source of inspiration for the composer. "I wake up

very early in the morning and start my work. When I begin creating,

inspiration comes at that time. When it is groundless, everything is

fine. But sometimes the development is slow, it also happens".

 

"There are artists, for example, Shagal, who always create in the

same way.

 

Others, for example, Picasso, constantly change their directions. I

work like Picasso: by changing my forms and directions. Each artist has

his own labyrinth. The point is how to get out of one's labyrinth. I

also get into such labyrinths but I alsways see ways to get out of

them," Penderecki said.

 

The world-famous composer and conductor of Armenian origin promised

to reporters that he will tell about his impressions and thoughts

about Armenia in a few years.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI PLANS TO COMPOSE ARMENIAN SPIRITUAL MUSIC

 

ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin

II on April 10 received Krzysztof Pendrecki in the Mother See of Holy

Etchmiadzin. Welcoming the world-famous composer, His Holiness said in

his speech: "We are familiar with your works and today we are glad to

meet you and express our appreciation for your services to mankind".

 

K. Penderecki told His Holiness about the history of his family,

speaking about his Armenian roots and childhood memories.

 

NT was informed by the press services of the Mother See of Holy

Etchmiadzin that the interlocutors also spoke about resemblance of K.

Pendereski's works to the Armenian spiritual music. In the words of the

composer, he has a desire to write Armenian spiritual music.