Górecki Birthday Video: December 5, 2011

Our latest noteworthy video features a live performance of the second movement (Tranquillisimo) of Henryk Górecki’s celebrated Symphony No.3, Op.36 (‘Symphony of Sorrowful Songs’). The video here commemorates the 78th anniversary (on December 6) of the birth of Mr. Górecki’s – who died last year; it likewise forms a nice counterpart to our latest feature, dedicated to the Contemporary Period. The Symphony No.3 – here performed by soprano Zofia Kilanowicz along with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Gilbert Levine – illustrates the accessible (and quite beautiful) side of the immensely wide array of styles that makes up classical music over the past 60 years. Indeed, this must be considered among the most popular Contemporary classical works – whose 1992 recording by soprano Dawn Upshaw, along with David Zinman conducting the London Sinfonietta, was highly successful, even reaching the top of the pop charts in the UK. Tell us what you think of this work and performance, and feel free to recommend to us your own favorite classical music videos!

Henryk Górecki, Symphony No.3, 2.Tranquillisimo, performed by Zofia Kilanowicz