Penderecki – Seven Gates Of Jerusalem DVD – Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Krzysztof Penderecki 

Poland’s Krzysztof Penderecki is one of the late-20th century’s great composers of religious works, of which his Symphony No. 7, Seven Gates of Jerusalem is but the latest example. (Typically for the restless Penderecki, he hasn’t even written his Symphony No. 6 yet!). Penderecki began as a radical avant-gardist who transformed the string orchestra into a shrieking, plucking and banging machine in his 1959 Threnody; but has managed to become one of the most accessible composers around today. This absolutely stunning release is a must for all Penderecki aficionados. Not only does it showcase a first-rate rendition of the bombastic but genuinely affecting Seven Gates of Jerusalem in Cannes, in 2000–conducted by the composer himself–but also is crammed with enticing bonus features. There’s a short interview with Penderecki, discussing the genesis of the “Seven Gates” in both English and German; comments by the work’s narrator, Boris Carmelli; an onscreen score and Penderecki’s subtitled commentary, both synchronous with the music; and Andreas Missler-Morell’s illuminating hour-long profile of the composer. –Kevin Filipski, Amazon.com