Shows how we ‘re all different - to me that style of music is just cacophony - like the jazz of classical music!
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For me too, so we have a common point.
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Didn’t knew there is a great polish community in Buffalo.
Time to convert them to Naim. 
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I don’t find Threnody on the Victims of Hiroshima cacophonous at all. Rather, deeply anffecting and troubling. Sadly becoming increasingly relevant, too, as the world seems to be edging ever closer to nuclear war.
Roger
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I had only listened to a few minutes of the first thing that came up on a search, a symphony I think. No time to try further at this moment but a very quick dip int Hiroshima doesn’t suggest otherwise, BUT given the subject it may indeed very well fit that, not as a piece of enjoyable music, but as an orchestral attempt to ‘paint’ the feelings involved. I ahal listen to it properly later.
Incidentally, if you haven’t been there, go. It was the most moving experience of my life. The site, the memorial, the info centre, and that building, impressed on me far more than any reading about it, or watching film footage, etc. The sense of devastation, of the evil off war, of the absolute awfulness of weapons humans have created, gets into your very bones. Every prospective leader of any country should be required to visit before taking office (but of course the very people who should wouldn’t, or would go there with soul closed and seeing only what they want to see.
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I agree for that piece.
Peace, for reflection and consolation is deep and religious, peaceful.
Other are sometimes difficult to apprehend.
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It must be still radioactive, not ?
Have not googled yet.
Think of Buffalo as the gate of the Midwest (this is true economically, we have the largest GM engine plant, politically very democratic and republican at the same time, artistically, even weather wise, tornadoes stop in Buffalo!) —torn between NYC and Ohio. When Lech Walesa came to the US he stopped in Buffalo before going to Chicago. Of course, changes in demographics have attenuated the importance of the Polish heritage, but the community still celebrate Dyngus day every year.
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A few years ago, my son wanted to go to Verdun on a trip to France as he was enrolled in an AP European history class. Stunning reminder of human folly.
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The following is a great chamber music album IMHO. Just in case you are ready for it and then I can recommend more adventurous “old contemporary” music if you wish!
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I’d never heard if Dyngus day - my dad didn’t bring that tradition from Poland, but we did grow up enjoying Wigilia, a tradition I have continued.
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Have seen some pictures. Tempting town.
Unfortunately I have been only to Buffalo grill. 
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When I was young, even teenager, we used to share the host, during the Wigilia December 24. I didn’t liked that embarrassing moment.
You did it ?
I prefer the Niagara Falls! 
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Not a host as such, but similar wafer, rectangular, maybe 12x8 cm. The most senior of us (my older brother if we are together, otherwise me) breaks it with someone - usually either their spouse or sibling, then with others, while each person breaks the bit they have received with others, and so on until everyone has broken bread with everyone else. Whilst it has a religious background (as of course does Christmas itself), there is no mention or consideration of religion as we do it, rather we each greet the person we break it with and wish them good health, peace, happiness etc. While it starts in a semi formalised way, by the end it descends into various degrees of amusement as people juggle the ever increasing number of ever smaller pieces, especially with a large family gathering. The fragments are eventually eaten, or just put on a side plate if preferred. Then we start the Christmas Eve supper.
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Same thing then. No meat the 24. church. Then gifts from Santa under the tree.
But it was 30 years before, when my father still lived, and when we had a lot of people at home.
Nowadays, no host, no church, and generally duck instead of fish.
Verdun is a very special place. I’ve been there a couple of times and what touched me most were the bulletholes which were still visible most notably in the cathedral.
We don’t do church, but yes carry on tradition of no meat, but we have never managed 12 courses! Yes presents under tree afterwards. And I was a kid, and later when we had kids, the present giving after the Christmas Eve supper is so much better than the British tradition of presents on Xmas day!
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@DiggyGun has a Polish wife. Maybe , DG, your wife has an opinion on Penderecki music. And would be curious to know how you are celebrating the December 24. In the British, polish, or modern way?
Thanks for the question.
Mrs DG does not enjoy “classical music” and neither do I, we are both Jazz fans.
Along with other Polish friends, we do celebrate Christmas on the 24th, although I don’t like the taste of Carp.
Then we go to Midnight Mass in our local Church. It is a CofE Church, but it is called the same. Then traditional English Christmas on the 25th with family.
Unfortunately, cannot do it every year, as Mrs DG is on shifts and has to work every other Christmas.
DG…
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