Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki wrote his Symphony No.

Sometimes referred to as the "Christmas Symphony" (the opening phrase from the Christmas carol "Silent Night" occurs three times during the symphony), neither the score nor the parts (Schott Music, Mainz 45 791) make any reference to this moniker.

The symphony, lasting 30–35 minutes, is in one movement employing a modified sonata form.

Piccolo, flutes (2), oboes (2), cor anglais, clarinets (3 in E flat, with bass clarinets), bassoons (2), contrabassoon, horns (5), trumpets (3), trombones (3), tubas (1), percussion (4 performers: triangle, gong, beck., tamtam, mil.

[1] The New York Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta, gave the first performance of the symphony on 1 May 1980.