Laeta Mundus - Resonances from 15th C Krakow

Kras 52, a manuscript once kept at Warsaw's Krasinski Library is a national treasure, compiled in the early decades of the 15th century.

Its music consists of polyphonic works by both Polish and other European artists including Nicolaus de Radom, Poland's greatest composer known from that period. Miraculously, the manuscript survived WWII, most likely stolen in 1944 and rediscovered in Munich's Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

A new critical edition was prepared in 2024 by some of the musicians performing on this new recording. Music from Kras 52 forms the core of this album's programme, presented alongside Krakow-related pieces interpreted on this album in a modern manner, revealing 'echoes' of that music.

The result is a modern reworking of the music, featuring Adam Baldych on Rennaisance violin, Michael Gorczynski on contrabass clarinet and accompanied by the Ensemble Peregrina.

The sound journey presented on this new recording is reminiscent of the iconic 'Officium' album with a twist; the medieval repertoire grouped and contrasted by type of music and performers. The performers are not a large ensemble (four voices, two Gothic harps, a violin and a contrabass clarinet), but provide variety and diversity in the listening experience.

Based on traditional polyphony but with added improvisations by violin, contrabass clarinet and also the vocal ensemble, the result is a hugely entertaining modern experience with 'jazzy' interpretations, interspersed with the original text.

Number of Discs: 1

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