“She passed away suddenly today Elżbieta Pendereckaa patron of culture, promoting music in Poland and around the world and supporting the careers of young artists. She was the originator and organizer of many important artistic events and festivals, the most famous of which is Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival. Her culture-creating activities gained wide recognition in Poland and abroad, as evidenced by numerous distinctions awarded to her. For over 50 years, she stood by Krzysztof Penderecki, providing the composer with a home and conditions for creative work, and accompanying him on numerous trips, during which she was always involved in the dissemination of Polish culture,” he wrote. Andrzej Giza in a statement sent to PAP.
Elżbieta Penderecka is dead
Elżbieta Penderecka (born 1947 in Kraków) initiated many cultural events in Poland and abroad. She was, among others, president of the Association. Ludwig van Beethoven, which organizes the Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival in Warsaw. She also sat on the boards of international music foundations.
She studied physics at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. In 1965 she married Krzysztof Pendereckifrom then on she ran her husband’s secretariat and supported him in his activities. The famous composer died on March 29, 2020.
Penderecka contributed to the creation of a chamber orchestra Sinfonietta Cracoviathe official orchestra of the Royal Capital City of Krakow.
In 2002, by the decision of KulturForum Europa (European Cultural Forum), Penderecka was awarded the jubilee European Culture Award 2002 for her achievements as “Poland’s ambassador in opening the European Union to the East”.
In 1997 she initiated the series “Concerts of Great Masters – Elżbieta Penderecka invites”presenting such outstanding artists as Mstislav Rostropovich, Jessye Norman Whether Simon Estes. She continued this series in 1998, inviting her to Krakow Barbara Hendricks and Stanisław Bunin. In 1999, they came to Krakow, among others: Martha Argerich and Krystian Zimermanand to Warsaw Olga Borodina and Maxim Vengerov, Shlomo Mintz, Heinrich Schiff and Julian Rachlin.
In the years 1996-2000 she was the Chairwoman of the Program Council of the Krakow 2000 Festival – European City of Culture. As part of the Krakow 2000 Festival, at the invitation of Elżbieta Penderecka, the New York Philharmonic from Kurt Masur, Norddeutsche Rundfunk With Christoph Eschenbach, Concentus Musicus With Maestro Harnoncourt, Bergen Philharmonic With Simone Young, Wiener Akademie With Martin Haselböckand Bundesjugendorchester under the direction Maestro Gerd Albrecht.
In March 1997, it organized the first Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival. In the following years, further editions of the festival were held, with participants including: Anne-Sophie Mutter With Penderecki Festival Orchestraunder the direction of Krzysztof Pendereckiand also Juozas Domarkas, Thomas Sanderling, Aldo Ceccato, Leopold Hager, Christoph Eschenbach, John Neal Axelrod, Rudolf Buchbinder, Boris Pergamenschikow, Arto Noras, Barry Douglas, Yuri Bashmet, Shlomo Mintz, Boris Carmeli, Elena Zaremba, Matthias Hölle, Renate Behle, Chor der Bamberger Symphoniker and La Stagione Frankfurt, Deutsche Kammerorchester Berlin, NOSPR, Sinfonia Varsovia, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Tokyo String Quartetand many other outstanding artists.
“For outstanding contributions to the promotion of Polish and world culture”
On the occasion of the National Day on May 3, 2012, Elżbieta Penderecka received from the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław KomorowskiOfficer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta for outstanding contributions to the promotion and dissemination of Polish and world culture, for achievements in artistic and creative work.
In January 2013 at the gala Polityka Passports received the award Creator of Culture 2012 for creating important musical events, especially the Easter Festival. Ludwig van Beethoven; for bringing to light the manuscripts of great composers kept in the Jagiellonian Library; for patronizing the Sinfonietta Cracovia ensembles and the Beethoven Academy Orchestra; for enormous contributions to Polish musical life.
Elżbieta Penderecka together with her husband, the late. Krzysztof Penderecki was a creator Krzysztof Penderecki European Center for Music in Lusławice – a unique center for developing young musical talents. On December 29, 2020, it was appointed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Prof. Piotr Gliński President of the Program Council of the Krzysztof Penderecki European Center for Music. Elżbieta Penderecka was also a member of the Advisory Board of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO).
On April 2, 2023, Elżbieta Penderecka was honored with the highest distinction administered by the Minister of Culture – Gold Medal for Merit to Culture Gloria Artis. In turn, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Association. Ludwig van Beethoven awarded her the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta.