Eamonn Dougan

The Sixteen, Eamonn Dougan – Marcin Mielczewski (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:00:30 minutes | 1023 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Coro

The fifth volume in this highly acclaimed series, conducted by The Sixteen’s Associate Conductor, Eamonn Dougan, celebrates the music of Polish composer Marcin Mielczewski. Together with Bartłomiej Pękiel, Mielczewski was amongst the most notable of 17th-century Polish composers and was recognised as a leader among his contemporaries. Influenced by the many Italian composers who graced the Polish courts in the 1600s, Mielczewski was a prolific composer. The cross-section of works recorded here shows an exceptionally accomplished musician at work, one whose music deserves a wider audience and who can confidently stand alongside the maestri who came before him and from whom he learnt his craft.

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The Sixteen, Eamonn Dougan – Bartlomiej Pekiel: Messes – Motets (2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:06:32 minutes | 1,11 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Coro

Bartłomiej Pękiel was one of the most eminent Polish composers of choral music of the 17th century. He served at the court in Warsaw from around 1633 and was assistant to Marco Scacchi at the Chapel Royal in Warsaw before becoming Kapellmeister himself from 1645-1655 – the first non-Italian to hold the post. He then moved to Wawel Cathedral in Krakow where he wrote for the Rorantist vocal ensemble.

Just 29 of his compositions survive today and on this new album by The Sixteen under the direction of Associate Conductor, Eamonn Dougan, we present 11 of his works for choir and orchestra including the Missa Concertata La Lombardesca resplendent with double choir, violins and trombones, and the extraordinary and dramatic Audite mortales.

In this recording dedicated solely to his works, Pękiel shows himself to be a skilled craftsman, mastering the techniques taught by the Italian maestri, but also imbuing his works with his own particular harmonic colour in all the varied styles he writes in.
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