We present to you an album with compositions by Jacek Różycki, who we know was one of the most significant figures of the royal chapels of John II Casimir Vasa, Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki, John III Sobieski, and Augustus II the Strong. The fact that we could contain the entire output of the composer on just two discs proves how much Polish intangible heritage we have lost. We can assume with high probability that when he was associated with the royal court and worked between Dresden and Warsaw, Różycki composed instrumental pieces. However, they have not survived to our times. On the other hand, based on the preserved religious works, it can be concluded that he was well acquainted with the composing craft and techniques popular in Europe at that time. When I was preparing for and during the recordings, it was hugely interesting to navigate on the verge of historical truth, the performance hypotheses being considered and our inner musical sensitivity. I was particularly impressed by the hymns, mostly written in homorhythmic texture and intended primarily for the Rorantist ensemble in Wawel. We recorded some of the hymns with a quite extensive ensemble with strings, sackbuts and cornett. The size of such an ensemble would certainly exceed the spatial capacity of the Sigismund Chapel. However, we assumed that they could also be performed in other interiors, hence this deliberately extended line-up, presenting our vision of Różycki’s music.

Artists

Aldona Bartnik (soprano), Aleksandra Turalska (soprano), Daniel Elgersma (countertenor), Piotr Łykowski (countertenor), Maciej Gocman (tenor), Benjamin Glaubitz (tenor), Tomáš Král (bass), Jaromír Nosek (bass), Tymoteusz Gaura (treble), Sergiusz Mojzesowicz (treble), Wrocław Baroque Ensemble, Andrzej Kosendiak