Wacław Reimagined Minimus Vocal Ensemble & Sławomira Raczyńska

• Wacław z Szamotuł (1520 - 1560):
• 1 Ego sum Pastor bonus (1) 03:25
• Paweł Łukaszewski (b. 1968):
• 2 Ego sum Pastor bonus (2) 04:20
• Wacław z Szamotuł:
• 3 Nakłoń, Panie, ku mnie ucho Twoje 05:21
• Łukasz Urbaniak (b. 1980):
• 4 Nakłoń, o Panie, uszu swoich 04:38
• Wacław z Szamotuł:
• 5 Nunc scio vere (1) 04:26
• Aleksandra Chmielewska (b. 1993):
• 6 Nunc scio vere (2) 04:23
• Wacław z Szamotuł:
• 7 I któż będzie przemieszkiwał 01:45
• Andrzej Bielerzewski (b. 1988):
• 8 Panie, któż będzie przebywał 03:11
• Wacław z Szamotuł:
• 9 Modlitwa, gdy dziatki spać idą 05:26
• Katarzyna Danel (b. 1992):
• 10 Nadchodzi noc 06:06
• Wacław z Szamotuł:
• 11 Kryste, dniu naszej światłości 03:20
• Marek Raczyński (b. 1982):
• 12 Ad Completorium: No. 1, Christe, qui lux est et dies 05:05
• Total Runtime 51:26

Info for Wacław Reimagined

We usually say that an ancient event “oc - curred” or “took place”. How should we, therefore, refer to a musical piece? It “exist - ed”, but, more importantly, it still “exists”. The past creates the present. No matter how thoroughly we seem to know it, early music always remains a mystery. It prevents us from unveiling it completely, creating extensive areas of indefinition. Thus, a great and im - portant adventure begins – filling the vague spots, affected by the reader’s imagination, curiosity and care for encompassing the truth. A unique reconstruction and an act of creation at the same time – a process in which early music is brought back to life. It is given a chance to live due to it being an inexhaustible source of inspiration to the authors in successive eras, including contem - porary composers. By engaging in a dialogue with the music of the past, they take a clear stand towards it. Creative conversation leads to new content. The album includes 12 pieces arranged in pairs: a composition by Wacław z Szamotuł opposite to a contemporary piece inspired by it. On the one hand, there are the pieces created by the icon of Polish music of the golden age, the grand master of counterpoint and musical ingenuity. On the other, there is the perspective of contemporary composers, of highly individual and personal nature. Independent, nearly unrestricted composing decisions representing today’s reference to the music from five centuries back. The decisions result in a clash of new har - monics with raw Renaissance sounds and in the introduction of disturbing mood in lieu of certainty and hope (Ego sum pastor bonus), playing with imitation and recurrence of themes (Nakłoń, o Panie, uszu swoich) and intensive metric variability (Panie, któż będzie przebywał); they result in the use of Latin instead of original Polish and in the surprising (?) resignation from the recognised title (… nadchodzi noc). The contemporary composers boost the narration (Nunc scio vere) or, on the contrary, slow it down, allowing us to almost hear and touch the light sparkling in vibrating intervals and warm chords (Christe qui lux es et dies). At the same time, the album presents an in - novative interpretation of the work of Wacław z Szamotuł presented by its performers. On the one hand, the interpretation pays respect to historically informed performances and, on the other, expresses the awareness that the present has its own rights, therefore the interpretation presented today becomes more “contemporary” than “Renaissance”. The past tense in which the master of Renais - sance composed his pieces clashes with the present tense reflecting the perception of the authors, the performers and the listeners. Enjoy the reinterpreted, or rather “reimagined”, music of Wacław z Szamotuł.

Minimus Vocal Ensemble
Sławomira Raczyńska, direction

Minimus Vocal Ensemble
Was founded in 2010. It is focused on a cappella singing, with its repertoire including mainly Renaissance music and pieces composed in the 20th and 21st century representing the spirit of ancient times. Minimus frequently takes part in projects related to historically-informed performances of early music. The ensemble enjoys cooperating with contemporary composers. Its portfolio includes several preview performances of a cappella choral pieces. It performs throughout Poland, placing an emphasis both on high artistic level and well-thought dramaturgy of its concerts. Minimus Vocal Ensemble recorded two CDs - “Nie tylko kolędy” (“More Than Carols”) of 2014 featuring innovative carol arrangements and “Media Vita” of 2017, a premiere recording of pieces composed by Marek Raczyński in the form of a monographic album. The ensemble is a winner of numerous national and international choral contests. It was distinguished at such competitions and festivals as the International Sacred Music Festival in Rumia (1st place in the category, 2018), Ars Liturgica National Competition in Gniezno (Golden Diploma 2018, 2014), the International Choral Music Festival in Barczewo (Golden Diploma, 2016) or the Wacław z Szamotuł National Choral Competi tion (1st place in the category, 2011). It was also honoured for the culture of sound and for its exquisite performances of early music. The group is composed of experienced singers rooting from Poznań’s best choirs. Sławomira Raczyńska is the ensemble’s artistic director. First and foremost, however, Minimus is a group of friends who share a passion for polyphonic singing. Their different characters and personalities complement each other in their shared pursuit of beauty.

Sławomira Raczyńska
graduated from the I. J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań with honours in two spe - cialisations: Choral Conducting in the class of prof. dr hab. M. Gandecki and Baroque Oboe in the class of mgr Marek Niewiedział. Since 2016, she has been a lecturer at her alma mater, at the Faculty of Composition, Conducting, Vocal Arts, Theory of Music and Artistic Education. She is also an assistant to the conductor of the Chamber Choir at the Academy of Music in Poznań. She is a winner of the 2nd prize at the 12th National Competition for Choral Con - ductors. Since 2011, she has been working as a choir and vocal ensemble teacher at the Jerzy Kurczewski Choral School in Poznań. In 2010, she founded Minimus Vocal Ensemble, which she leads as an artistic director and a conductor. With her ensembles, she won a number of prizes in national and international choral competitions. As an oboist, she cooperated with Baroque orchestras throughout Poland, such as the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra, MACV ensemble of the Warsaw Chamber Opera or the Polish Orchestra of the 18th century.

This album contains no booklet.