ANAKLASIS / seria / / ANA 030

Born 75 years ago, Wnuk-Nazarowa obtained her master’s degree from Krzysztof Penderecki’s class in 1974. Her professional life has been a long series of challenges and successes, and she is well-known for her achievements in the fields of education, management, and politics. She was, among others, the head of Cracow Philharmonic, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice, and (in 1997–1999) – Minister of Culture. The more surprising it seems, then, that she has still found time and energy for creative work – for she is, first and foremost, an outstanding composer and conductor.

The album IL TEMPO PASSA comprises a selection of works for chamber and symphony orchestras, primarily her most recent compositions. These include Skylark Concerto for amplified harpsichord and chamber orchestra, dedicated to the memory of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki (first performed in September 2023), the only slightly earlier Il tempo passa. Passacaglia for great symphony orchestra (a birthday present for Elżbieta Penderecka and at the same time a tribute to her husband), as well as the diptych Don’t Look Back! Orpheus and Euridice and Lot and Lot’s Wife for two solo flutes and chamber orchestra. Only one piece in the album’s programme, Goodbye to the Mediterranean. An Attempt at a Reconstruction for two guitars and orchestra, dates back to the year 1986.