Wrocław Baroque Ensemble specialises in historically informed performance, with the main focus on exploration of lesser-known repertoire from central Europe. The group presents a variety of early music, from chamber works to oratorios and cantatas, keeping a particular interest in heritage of Polish Renaissance and Baroque.
It was founded in 2012 by Andrzej Kosendiak and from the very beginning it has been operating under his artistic direction. Currently, it is one of the resident ensembles of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław. The core of the group consists of outstanding instrumentalists and singers from European countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Germany).
Wrocław Baroque Ensemble can boast an impressive recording catalogue (CD Accord), which includes a series of CD albums dedicated to a Baroque repertoire featuring mainly works by the Polish composers – Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki, Barłomiej Pękiel, and Marcin Mielczewski. The series is available on Spotify and worldwide distributed by Naxos, earning positive international reviews on MusicWeb International, ClassicsToday.com and Fanfare Archive. In 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 the albums were nominated to a prestigious Polish music award, Fryderyk. In 2019, Mielczewski II won a Fryderyk in the Early Music category. Another album, with music by Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki was awarded the Wrocław Music Prize in 2013. In 2015, the group released The Salzburg Marian Mass by W.A. Mozart in collaboration with the NFM Boys’ Choir.
The ensemble has been invited by renowned international festivals, such as International Festival Wratislavia Cantans, Emilia Romagna Festival, Usedomer Musikfestival, and Ohrid Summer Festival. Additionally, the group regularly performs in Poland, and has recently been preparing new recordings – a CD with all the preserved works by Stanisław Sylwester Szarzyński is to be released soon.
