Psalms of Confession GOMÓŁKA

The concert will crown the Mikołaj Gomółka: Melodie na psałterz polski. Opera Omnia [Mikołaj Gomółka: Melodies for the Polish Psalter. Opera Omnia] phonography project, carried out by the Polish Radio Choir in cooperation with Agnieszka Budzińska-Bennett – an outstanding Polish singer, harpist and teacher. The project envisages recording all the psalms from the famous collection by Mikołaj Gomółka. The concert programme is set to present a selection of psalms, including all seven Psalms of Confession, arranged by a composer who left a particular mark on the history of Polish Renaissance, thus perfectly fitting into the symbolism of the first day of the festival.

Psalms from Gomółka’s collection, published in 1580, were written to illustrate texts in Polish (translated by Jan Kochanowski). These small pieces were composed as four-voice arrangements with symmetrical structure and clearly visible stanzas. The work was dedicated to the then Bishop of Kraków, Piotr Myszkowski, which inspired the organisers to host the concert at one of the most important churches of Polish Christianity – the Wawel Cathedral.

Performers:
Anna Zawisza – soprano
Polish Radio Choir
Compass Consort
Elizabeth Rumsey – treble viol, leader
Agnieszka Budzińska-Bennett – artistic direction