Polish composer Krzystof Penderecki was born in 1933. His father was a lawyer in Dębica, southern Poland. Soon after the war ended in 1945, Penderecki started his studies in violin and music theory. Starting his career as a composer in the 50s, Penderecki is another one of the “piep knor” generation.
For these composers experimenting with new theory and expressionism is more important that placating the audience. Of course in all music there is a balance between those two opposites. Composers in the romantic era were acutely aware of how their music was selling. Publicists were requesting, or composers were just choosing to write easier pieces, just to make a little bit of cash. Brahms’ big hit the Hungarian dances comes to mind.
Then there is the other side of this balance. The successful composers of the 50s and 60s were specialists in annoying their own audience, and the audience loved it at the same time. I think this is where classical music became an elite hobby. They became more and more estranged from their audience.
Having said all that, you might think I don’t like it. I do. Good music hurts and makes you think. Also, the modern nature of these pieces makes them refreshing. It is unfortunate that there are not many performances of these pieces.