Krzysztof Penderecki (born 1933) - composer and conducter. A professor at the of Music, and lecturer at Essen and Yale. His career began in 1959 at the the Young Composers' Competition of Polish Composers' Union, where he was awarded three prizes, for 'Emanations', 'The Psalms of David' and 'Strophes'. His other works include his 'Threnody for the victims of Hiroshima' (1960), 'Passio et Mors Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Secundum Lucam'(1965), 'Magnificat' (1974), 'Symphony No. 2' (The Christmas Symphony - 1980), 'Viola Concerto' (for viola and orchestra, 1983), 'The Seven Gates of Jerusalem' (1996), 'Mass' (1998) and 'Credo' (1999). He has been honoured with doctorates from many European centres of learning. He is the winner of prestigious awards, including the prestigious Prince of Asturia arts award (2001). His innovative talent as a composer, which has allowed him to combine different types of music, is highly esteemed.
