Jonny Greenwood looking forward to working with his hero
“For me he's a real hero, because he learnt about electronic music and then went back to the orchestra, and made all these magical sounds using very old-fashioned technology,” Greenwood told Polish Radio.
“To me I find that very inspiring,” he added.
Besides his work with Radiohead, the British star has written acclaimed soundtracks to films such as Daniel Day-Lewis's gritty epic There will be Blood.
As he told Polish Radio, his admiration for Penderecki stretches back to his college days.
“I went to see a concert that he was conducting, and I stood at the front, and at the end I stood up to give him a standing ovation because it was so amazing, and no one else in the room was standing.
“But I was so overwhelmed – I was starstruck.”
In 2006, Greenwood won a prize at the BBC Composers Awards for Popcorn Superhet Receiver, which was inspired by work by Penderecki. The piece takes the Polish composer's “Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima” as its point of departure.
Both works will be performed on Saturday evening, with Penderecki as conductor.
The Radiohead star joked that the concert will be somewhat embarrassing for him.
“I have to do lots of sweating and feel very self-conscious and awkward, and I have to put up with Penderecki looking at me because I've stolen so many of his ideas,” he said.
Among the pieces in the programme, Greenwood will be performing a world premiere of “48 responses to the polymorphia” a further work inspired by the Polish great.
“I've been following him around, and been obsessed with him, and it's very unreal, and I can't quite believe its happening tomorrow,” said Greenwood.
“I'm very happy, very excited.”
On Sunday, Penderecki will return to the stage with electronic pioneer Aphex Twin. (nh/pg)