History of the Music of Poland
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In Poland, the first evidence of Polish music dates to the XIII century, with the discovery of Polish music manuscripts in the city of Stary Sącz, resembling those from the Paris Notre Dame School. It is assumed that this Western influence came from neighboring Bohemia. was not until the XV century that several notable Polish Renaissance-Baroque composers began being noticed; among these was the Italian-born Polish lutenist and composer Diomedes Cato. He is well known for incorporating the Western musicalstyle and fusing it with traditional Polish folk music.
Polish music began developing more profusely coming to the beginnings of the XVI century and continued into the XVIII century. The Vaasa Kings of Poland began less and less inviting Italian composers and a handful of purely Polish composers arose, Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki probably being the most well remembered of this time period, coming to earn the reputation as "the Polish Händel". Another notable composer was Francesca Caccini, who produced several operatic productions in Poland.
Coming into the Romantic Period, Poland found itself torn; divided and annexed between Prussia, Austria and the Russian Empire. This hindered the development of Polish music and it was not until the come about of nationalism, that the music style of the Polonaise became popular, the composer Fryderyk Chopin (French: Frédéric Chopin) being the most well-remembered of these. However, following this increase in nationalistic music, it quickly died down under the rule of communism under the Soviet Union. Similarly to the musicians in Russia, the music composed was strictly regulated and only state-approved, patriotic music was allowed.
Polish music began developing more profusely coming to the beginnings of the XVI century and continued into the XVIII century. The Vaasa Kings of Poland began less and less inviting Italian composers and a handful of purely Polish composers arose, Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki probably being the most well remembered of this time period, coming to earn the reputation as "the Polish Händel". Another notable composer was Francesca Caccini, who produced several operatic productions in Poland.
Coming into the Romantic Period, Poland found itself torn; divided and annexed between Prussia, Austria and the Russian Empire. This hindered the development of Polish music and it was not until the come about of nationalism, that the music style of the Polonaise became popular, the composer Fryderyk Chopin (French: Frédéric Chopin) being the most well-remembered of these. However, following this increase in nationalistic music, it quickly died down under the rule of communism under the Soviet Union. Similarly to the musicians in Russia, the music composed was strictly regulated and only state-approved, patriotic music was allowed.
Traditional POLISH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
SukaThe Suka is a stringed instrument similar looking to the violin, however played vertically. It is said to be the "missing link" between the knee chordophone and the modern violin.
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KozioLThe Kozioł is a traditional Polish bagpipe native to the region of Zbąszyń. These are two different types: the biały and the czarny. The former was so popular that it was even played at the court of Christian VII of Denmark.
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MazankaThe Mazanka is a three-stringed Polish traditional instrument similar to the violin hailing from the region of Greater Poland.
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Polish Folk Music
The nation of Poland officially has five national dances. They are the Kujawiak, the Krakowiak, the Oberek, the Mazurka and the Polonaise.
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MazurkaThe Mazurka is a lively Polish traditional dance hailing from the Polish region of Mazovia. The dance is in triple meter and rhythmically, almost always repeats a motif of a dotted eighth-note followed by two quarter notes. A number of composers adapted this dance and used it as a musical style for their classical compositions in the Romantic era, such as Chopin and Brahms.
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Oberek at 0:00 | Kujawiak at 1:15
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OberekThe Oberek comes from the Polish phrase "obracać się" meaning "to spin". It is the fastest of the national dances and is characterized by fast walking, leaps, spins and turns.
KujawiakThe Kojawiak, unlike the other traditional Polish dances, is slow. The dance is still in triple meter but instead of being happy and lively, is slow and usually in a minor key. They, choreographically, involve a couple walking gracefully around each other at a moderate tempo.
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KrakowiakThis dance, the Krakowiak, comes from the region of Lesser Poland, getting its name from the former capital, Kraków. Unlike the other Polish dances, it is in a duple meter but is at a lively tempo involving leaps, as it is said to imitate horses.
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PolonaiseThe Polonaise's name comes from the Italian musical notation "alla polacca", which translates to "polonaise" in French meaning, literally, "to the Polish style". It is in three-four time and usually, it's typical rhythm is an eighth-note, two sixteenths, four eights before repeating, but with a quarter and an eight (instead of four eights).
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Notable Classical Pieces and Composers
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The following is a list of some of the most renowned composers in Poland. Polish Kings originally invited foreign composers to write music in their courts, but a number of ethnically Polish composers began appearing coming out of the Baroque period and into the Classical era. Most Polish classical pieces are taken from Polish folk songs and traditional national tunes. These were incorporated into the formal classical music of Poland.
Music of the Middle Ages
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Renaissance Music
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Baroque Music
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Romantic Music
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Contemporary Music
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Classical Music Examples
Excerpt from Canzoni é Concerti
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FRYDERYK CHOPIN (Romantic)Heroic Polonaise
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