Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of Mrs Elżbieta Penderecka and her family, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have been moved by the death of Professor Krzysztof Penderecki. At this very difficult time I thank you for your condolences, words of support, and solidarity.
The Professor died surrounded by his loved ones on Sunday, 29 March at 6:30 am, at his Kraków home, after a long and serious illness.
The response of the state and local government authorities, and of the Polish and international media clearly shows the awareness that Professor Penderecki’s death is an irreparable loss to Poland and Polish culture. Alongside Fryderyk Chopin, he was the best known Polish composer in the world and, like the great Chopin, he expressed a strong attachment to his home country in music .
The family decided that a memorial mass for the Maestro will be held in the next few days. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the service will be closed to the public. At the same time, Kraków Municipal authorities invite the public to pay tribute to the composer’s memory by signing an online condolence book.
Once the pandemic has subsided, Maestro Krzysztof Penderecki’s ashes will be laid to rest in the Polish National Pantheon in the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Kraków. Preliminary indications suggest that a state funeral will be held.
Further details regarding the funeral ceremony will be provided by Adam Balas, director of the Krzysztof Penderecki European Center for Music promoting the Maestro’s legacy.
Yours sincerely,
Andrzej Giza
Director of the Ludwig van Beethoven Association