Krzysztof Penderecki, Poland's most celebrated composer, has announced his plans to complete his 'Polish Requiem', a work of several parts that the artist has been adding to for some 25 years.
''On the day of the death of the Pope'' declared the composer, '' I made the decision to finish 'Polish Requiem' as this work needs one more part."
The already completed parts of the Requiem explore a number of emotive themes in Poland's twentieth century history, including the Katyn war-crime, the Solidarity revolution and the legacy of Primate Wyszynski. The latter transformed the character of the Polish Church and helped pave the way for Pope John Paul himself.
Penderecki was in Cracow last week where he was seen paying his respects to John Paul outside the Archbishop's palace, the main focus of the vigils for the fallen Pope.
Born in 1931 in Debica, Penderecki later studied music at Cracow's State School of Music, an institution which he later became rector of. His compositions have drawn interest across the globe, although he ruffled feathers here in Cracow in recent times over the 'Penderecki Beethoven Festival' which was eventually moved to Warsaw.
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