I don't claim that Polish early music played any crucial part in history of European music. We didn't have Josquin des Prez, Palestrina, Scarlatti or Bach. However, we *did* have a few interesting composers, too. And since they are almost totally unknown outside Poland, it seemed to me a good idea to put together a WWW page with more info about them. I'm no musicologist and serious researchers won't find here, I'm afraid, too many relevant references (so far). The purpose of this web page is to satisfy the curiosity of the rest of us.

Note: Many of the composers are identified by their names and cities of origin, so that, for example, Mikołaj z Lublina means Nicolaus from Lublin (or: of Lublin)

Warning: Embedded MIDI ahead.

• Valentinus Bakfark (+ 1576)

• Cyprian Bazylik (ca.1535 - past 1600)

• Krzysztof Borek (+ ca. 1570)

• Jan Brandt (1554 - 1602)

• Diomedes Cato (ca. 1570 - past 1603)
  Venetian by birth, appointed lutenist to the Court of Polish king Sigismundus III Vasa.

• Mikołaj z Chrzanowa (ca.1485 - ca.1560)

• Andrzej Chyliński (17th c.)

• Wojciech Długoraj (ca. 1557 - ca. 1619)

• Jan Fabrycy (ca. 1615 - ca. 1655)

• Sebastian z Felsztyna (1485 - 1543)

• Walentyn Gawara Gutek

• Ładysław z Gielniowa - MIDI example (Żołtarz Jezusow)

• Mikołaj Gomółka (1535 - 1591)
  His only published (and certainly the only known), nevertheless very important musical work was Melodie na Psałterz polski - a complete work of melodies for all of the 150 psalms. And they are all here in MIDI format!

• Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki (1667 - 1734)
  "Until quite recently, historians judged Gorczycki to be an outstanding but conservative composer of works written mainly in the a capella tradition. The latest discoveries indicate that his work evolved along many lines as evidenced by compositions a capella, vocal-instrumental compositions, works for instruments alone and perhaps also stage works."

• Jan Aleksander Gorczyn

• Piotr z Grudziądza

• Adam Jarzębski (ca. 1590 - ca. 1648)

• Krzysztof Klabon

• Seweryn Koń (2nd half of 16th c.)

• Mikołaj z Krakowa (ca.1500 - ca.1550) MIDI example (Preambulum in F)

• Marcin Leopolita (1530 - 1589)

• Jerzy Liban z Legnicy (1464-1546) - MIDI example (Ortus de Polonia)

• Lilius family including Franciszek Lilius (ca.1600 - 1657)

• Jan z Lublina

• Marcin Mielczewski (+1651)

• Asprilio Pacelli

• Marcin Paligon

• Andrzej Paszkiewicz (17th c.)

• Antonio Patard (ca. 1560 - 1605)

• Bartłomiej Pękiel (+1670)

• Jakub Polak (1545 - 1605) - MIDI example (Praeludium)

• Mikołaj z Radomia (ca.1400 - ca.1450)
  "The first Polish composer whose talent and learning were of an European calibre: the first whose knowledge and skills allowed him not only to imitate foreign models but to contribute creatively to the development of European music."

• Andrzej Rohaczewski - MIDI example (Crucifixus surrexit)

• Jacek Różycki (ca. 1630 - 1704)

• Jakub Sowa vel Sówka (? - 1593) - MIDI example (Salve Regina)

• Tomasz Szadek (1550 - 1611) - MIDI example (Kyrie from Missa In melodiam moteti Pisneme)

• Stanisław Sylwester Szarzyński - MIDI example (Cum invocarem from Completorium)

• Wacław z Szamotuł (ca. 1520 - ca. 1560)
  "If the Gods had let him live longer, the Poles would have no need to envy the Italians their Palestrina, Lappi and Vadana" - wrote Szymon Starowolski, author of his first concise biography.
• Marcin Wartecki (2nd half of 16th c.)

• Mikołaj Zieleński (ca. 1550 - 1616)
  "The mastery of polychoral style brought to him the reputation of The most perfect Venetian in Poland."

There is still a lot of work to be done. But I hope more information will appear here in the future.

Note: The texts on this page are compiled from various sources. If you are, by chance, the author of any work quoted here, *please* contact me.