Hidden Treasures - From The 17th Century Polish Court To The Present Day

Thomas Tallis Society - Hidden Treasures - From The 17th Century Polish Court To The Present Day.

The explosion in interest in what is broadly termed 'early music' over the past forty or so years has resulted in performance and scholarship undergoing a revolution which continues to inspire and challenge both artist and audience. One of the great joys for performers is the rediscovery of composers who have slipped, temporarily, out of sight.

This programme explores some of the musical riches of the Polish baroque, an area which is largely unknown, but contains many great works. The royal court at Warsaw and Krakow boasted a musical establishment modelled on the courts and cathedrals of the great European musical centres after King Zygmunt III recruited some of the foremost Italian composers to his court where they passed on their craft and experience to the native Polish composers who came after them.

They will be performing polychoral motets by Luca Marenzio, utilising the galleries and dramatic spaces of St Alfege, lush polyphony by Vincenzo Bertolusi and opulent vocal-instrumental works by Bartlomiej Pekiel and Marcin Mielczweski, accompanied by baroque violins and sackbutt ensemble.

Linking to Polish contemporary musical life, it will also include motets by Pawel Lukaszewski.

Come and immerse yourself in the musical world of 17th century Poland.