Both Catholics, Joseph Haydn and Krzysztof Penderecki often combined artistic creativity with religious devotion. This concert brings together works that, in a more or less explicit way, reflect this duality. The Polish composer’s Adagietto was separated from the opera Paradise Lost shortly after its premiere in 1978. In the original context, it corresponds to the moment of commotion and beauty that lies between Eve’s ecstasy—as she succumbs to the temptation of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge—and Adam’s lament. The Chaconne for strings was added to the Polish Requiem as a tribute to Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his death in 2005. Haydn, for his part, incorporated chant repertoire related to the Passion of Christ into Symphony No. 26. In the second movement, one of the melodies from the Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah can be heard. Less categorical, the nickname of Symphony No. 84 is due to the solemn character of the introduction, but also to the musician’s habit of writing phrases such as “In the name of the Lord” in his handwritten scores.
Concerto de Natal da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa
Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa
K. Penderecki Adagietto from the opera Paradise Lost
J. Haydn Symphony No. 26, Lamentazione
K. Penderecki Chaconne in Memory of John Paul II
J. Haydn Symphony No. 84, In nomine Domini
Carla Pereira English horn
Pedro Amaral conductor
