It has become a tradition of Wratislavia Cantans to present Polish early music. This time, Wrocław Baroque Ensemble under the direction of Andrzej Kosendiak will perform the works of Jacek Różycki, a composer active in the second half of the 17th century.

Certain details from the Różycki’s biography will probably never be known. We don’t know exactly when he was born or when he died. But we know quite well the course of his successful career. Różycki must have been an efficient organiser, as he served as kapellmeister at the royal court for quite a long time, during the reign of as many as four kings: Jan II Kazimierz Vasa, Michał I, Jan III Sobieski and August II the Strong. He also served as the royal secretary during the reign of the third of these monarchs, and during the reign of the last of them he moved to Dresden, where he led the Polish-Saxon hofkapelle.

Różycki composed mainly religious works for instruments and voices. None of his autographs have survived to our times – his output is known only from copies and posthumous editions. It is believed that the royal kapellmeister also wrote secular instrumental music, but all his compositions of this type are lost. The preserved works are most often identified by the signature of H.R.; the first letter is the initial of the Latin version of Różycki’s name – Hyacinthus.

The dissemination of Jacek Różycki’s works is part of Andrzej Kosendiak’s activity in the field of early music. For many years now, the conductor has been consistently bringing back to the audience the forgotten Polish composers of past eras.