Composer

:

Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

27:24

Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki was a Polish Baroque composer who lived from 1665 to 1734. He was a prominent figure in the musical scene of his time, and his works were highly regarded by his contemporaries. One of his most famous compositions is the Completorium for 4 voices, 2 violins, 2 trumpets & organ. The Completorium, also known as the Night Prayer, is a liturgical service that marks the end of the day in the Catholic Church. It consists of several prayers and psalms, and is typically performed in the evening. Gorczycki's Completorium is a musical setting of this service, and is divided into several movements. The Completorium was composed in the late 17th or early 18th century, and premiered in Krakow, Poland. It is written for four voices (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), two violins, two trumpets, and organ. The use of trumpets is particularly notable, as it was a relatively uncommon instrument in sacred music at the time. The Completorium consists of several movements, each of which sets a different prayer or psalm. The first movement is the Deus in adiutorium, which is a short hymn that is sung at the beginning of many liturgical services. This is followed by the psalm Dixit Dominus, which is sung in its entirety. The next movement is the Confiteor, which is a prayer of confession and penitence. This is followed by the psalm Nunc dimittis, which is a prayer of thanksgiving and acceptance of death. The Completorium also includes several other prayers and psalms, including the hymn Te lucis ante terminum, the psalm Laudate Dominum, and the prayer In manus tuas. Each of these movements is characterized by Gorczycki's use of rich harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive melodies. The use of trumpets adds a regal and celebratory quality to the music, while the organ provides a solid foundation for the vocal and instrumental parts. Overall, Gorczycki's Completorium is a masterful example of Baroque sacred music. Its use of multiple voices and instruments, as well as its rich harmonies and expressive melodies, make it a powerful and moving work that continues to be performed and admired today.

More....