Kennicott Invokes Penderecki's "Threnody" in Kennedy Center Reflection
In a recent piece for the Washington Post, critic Philip Kennicott discusses the Kennedy Center by referencing Krzysztof Penderecki’s 1960 orchestral work, "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima." He describes the music as going beyond typical expressions of grief, featuring raw cries, dissonant sounds, and strong percussion. Kennicott claims that its emotional weight is comparable to the works of Franz Kline or the poem "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg. He quotes Ginsberg’s haunting lines about children and old men in distress. This commentary paints the Kennedy Center as an empty institution in the midst of a troubled community. It was published in the Washington Post's style section on September 17, 2026.
Key facts
- "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima" is a 1960 orchestral work by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki
- Washington Post critic Philip Kennicott wrote the reflection on the Kennedy Center
- Kennicott describes the work as music pitched past pitch of grief
- The piece is characterized by tone clusters and percussive noise
- Kennicott compares its intensity to a painting by Franz Kline
- He also compares it to Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl"
- Kennicott quotes Ginsberg's lines about children screaming, boys sobbing, and old men weeping in parks
- The article is dated September 17, 2026, in the Washington Post's style section
Entities
Artists
- Philip Kennicott
- Krzysztof Penderecki
- Franz Kline
- Allen Ginsberg
Institutions
- Kennedy Center
- Washington Post
Locations
- Hiroshima
- Japan
- Washington, D.C.
- United States