Midnight Music: Threnody to The Victims of Hiroshima

Krzysztof Penderecki was born on this day in 1933. He burst onto the international scene with the piece shown here, Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima. His music can be heard on films like The Shining, The Exorcist, Children of Men, and several David Lynch movies. This dedication to the victims of Hiroshima actually came several years after the premiere of this piece. In 1964, Penderecki wrote: "Let the Threnody express my firm belief that the sacrifice of Hiroshima will never be forgotten and lost." This piece perfects the use of tone clusters to create haunting dissonances that will leave you breathless. Enjoy.