'Chamber concert on the 50th anniversary of a message being sent from Polish bishops to German bishops' - Koncert kameralny z okazji 50. rocznicy wystosowania Orędzia biskupów polskich do biskupów niemieckich.

The initiator and author of the letter was Bolesław Kominek, Archbishop of Wrocław and so it was significant that this anniversary should be marked in Wrocław. The concert was full of international dignitaries and announcements were made in Polish and in translation. 

The programme - naturally - represented music from Germany and music from Poland. Pisendel had famously been the leader of the Court Orchestra in Dresden. The next piece was a lute suite by Silvius Leopold Weiss (Sylvius Leopold Weiss). This was something of a link as Weiss served at courts in Breslau (Wrocław), Rome and Dresden in the early 18th century. The concert concluded with music by the Silesian composer: Gorczycki. One of his finest works, the 'Completorium', brought singers and natural trumpet players to the stage to conclude this anniversary concert. 

Johann George Pisendel (1687 - 1755)
Sonata in E minor for Violin and Basso Continuo

Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687 - 1750)
Suite in D major for solo lute - performed by Anton Birula

Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki (c.1665 - 1734)
Completorium

This photograph was taken during the concert by the NFM's official photographer and archivist, Bogusław Beszłej. Used with permission.

Wrocław Baroque Ensemble - Photograph © Bogusław Beszłej - National Forum of Music Archive

Andrzej Kosendiak - Director

Aldonna Bartnik - Soprano

Piotr Łykowski - Countertenor

Maciej Gocman - Tenor

Jerzy Butryn - Bass

Zbigniew Pilch - Violin I

Mikołaj Zgółka - Violin II

Julia Karpeta - Viola da Gamba

Janusz Musiał - Violone

Anton Birula - Lute / Theorbo

Marta Niedźwiecka - Organ

Russell Gilmour - Trumpet I (Clarino I)

William Russell - Trumpet II (Clarino II)

The following photographs were taken in rehearsal by Russell Gilmour © 2015.