The Polish composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki, who blazed a trail in classical music with innovative religious and symphonic works, died aged 86 on Sunday in his home city of Krakow, Polish media reported.

File photo: AFP

Penderecki, who worked with symphony orchestras in Europe and the United States during his long career, died after a long illness, reports said, quoting the Krakow-based Ludwig van Beethoven Association founded by his wife Elzbieta.