The title of the well-known Threnody for the Hiroshima Victims of the Pole Krzysztof Penderecki was initially 8'37 '' (and the time in the booklet of the present CD is indeed 8'37 ''). In conservatory education, the apparatchiks of modern music like to show the Threnody as the standard example of cluster music by means of a graphic score. By now this music should sound hopelessly outdated, but
… strangely enough that is not the case. The music sounds even more cinematic than ever, as if the Psycho and The Birds soundtracks have been modernized. Penderecki could have become a very good film composer in that regard, for in the Capriccio for oboe and string instruments too, the bare strings whirl around like bats around a Transylvanian castle. In the biblically inspired Als Jakob Erwwacht Penderecki comes closest to a questionable kind of horror romance, which nevertheless has a very visual effect. No wonder that this rendition of the story of Jacob and the angel's ladder is doing well with the public, partly thanks to the use of twelve ocarinas. Furthermore, this CD contains the Capriccio for violin and orchestra and the Capriccio for oboe and string instruments. (HJ) partly thanks to the use of twelve ocarinas. Furthermore, this CD contains the Capriccio for violin and orchestra and the Capriccio for oboe and string instruments. (HJ) partly thanks to the use of twelve ocarinas. Furthermore, this CD contains the Capriccio for violin and orchestra and the Capriccio for oboe and string instruments. (HJ)more
