The Polish composer, Krzysztof Penderecki, established a reputation as one of the most revolutionary composers of the 20th century, his early scores gaining acclaim and a cult status among modernists. The mid-1960s saw his style become more conventional and this generated a renewed interest in the symphonic form. This did nothing to prepare the world for the unashamedly populist Second Symphony completed in 1980, and subtitled Christmas Symphony. The emotionally ambivalent Fourth Symphony, however, continues the composer’s fascination for exploring every facet of orchestral sound colour.