A surprising effect of the coronation in 1697 of the Saxon elector Frederick Augustus I as King of Poland is that many of Johann Sebastian Bach’s works – although he had never been to our country – can be treated as Polonica. Settling down in Leipzig, the famous composer became a subject of the ruler known in Poland as Augustus II the Strong. When the monarch’s wife and titular queen of Poland, Christiane Eberhardine, died, the artist composed the ode Laß, Fürstin, laß noch einen Strahl for the funeral ceremonies at the University of Leipzig.

Wrocław Baroque Ensemble, conducted by Andrzej Kosendiak, will present the piece alongside a composition by Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki in its concert programme, the letter most likely composed for the funeral ceremonies of the king. The presentation of music associated with the figure of the first of the Wettins on the Polish throne will be interwoven with performances of works by Kaspar Förster Junior, who was active much earlier. Born in Gdańsk, after completing his studies in Rome he found employment as a singer at the Polish court of Władysław IV Vasa. His education in the Eternal City naturally led to him bringing Italian composing techniques to the cities where he worked. From Poland he moved to the Danish court, becoming a court composer in Copenhagen. Despite his long-time work in the Lutheran environment, Förster remained a Catholic throughout his life and towards the end of his life he settled in the Cistercian abbey in Oliwa near Gdańsk. Queen Christiane Eberhardine also remained loyal to her faith, refusing to convert to Catholicism after her husband had done so. Her adherence to Lutheranism earned her special admiration from the inhabitants of Saxony. This is why the affected stanzas composed in honour of the electoral princess by Johann Christoph Gottsched and set by Bach include phrases such as “protector of the faith”. The moving, thoughtful and sad music written by the music director of the Leipzig Thomanerchor was later used by him in the St Matthew Passion.