Discover the richness
Of Polish A cappella Works
The Anthology of Polish A Cappella Works is a remarkable tale of music that needs no instruments to stir the soul. This long-term recording project, carried out by the Institute for the Development of Art, stands among the most consistent and visionary efforts to document and promote Polish choral music.
The anthology draws attention to what is most elemental in the world of music: the human voice. Since 2018, album by album, we have been unveiling to listeners the hidden treasures of native a cappella composition—both the well-known gems and those unjustly consigned to oblivion. Captured in masterful interpretations—often for the first time ever—these works by outstanding Polish composers are being given new life and renewed power to move and inspire.
TRADITIONS
POLISH VOCAL
In the Anthology, tradition meets modernity, the sacred intertwines with the secular, and familiar names stand side by side with unexpected discoveries.
The artistic director of the project is Janusz Siadlak PhD —a conductor and the spiritus movens behind the entire Anthology. It is his passion, determination, and deep belief in the value of Polish choral art that made this exceptional recording series possible. As an artist, he combines precision with emotional depth, giving each piece on the album the attention it deserves. Together with the Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir Collegium Cantorum and the Polish Chamber Musicians, he shapes every recording into something truly unique—meticulous, heartfelt, and genuine.
The Anthology is not an archive. It is a living organism. A voice of tradition, of the present, and of the future of Polish choral music. It is also a meeting ground—for musicians, educators, scholars, and everyday listeners alike—anyone who wishes to rediscover the sound of Poland.
Ten albums. Ten stories. And we’re still writing more.
the Anthology
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Juliusz Łuciuk stands among the foremost Polish composers of the second half of the 20th century. Though today he is primarily associated with vocal and vocal-instrumental works, few remember that his artistic output also includes a number of purely instrumental pieces that gained popularity as early as the 1960s.
The new album by the Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Janusz Siadlak, features a selection of Łuciuk’s compositions that serve as a compelling showcase of his musical legacy.
Juliusz Łuciuk - Choral Works
- Virigin Ivy (1958)
Words: Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński - Missa gratiarum actione (1974)
– Kyrie
– Gloria – 2:51
– Credo – 5:02
– Sanctus
– Benedictus
– Agnus Dei - Hymnus de Caritate (1977)
Słowa: Marek Skwarnicki (oparte na Pierwszym Liście św. Pawła do Koryntian) - St. Mary’s Suite (1983)
words: ks. Jan Twardowski - Oh, Polish Land (1987)
words: John Paul II - A Prayer to St Jan Kanty (1990)
words: Marek Skwarnicki - Oremus pro Pontifice Joanne Paulo Secundo (1992)
words: latin prayer from “Liber Usualis” - Slavic Sonnet IX (1995)
Słowa: Karol Wojtyła - Ave Maria (2012)
- The Lullaby about a Cradle (2017)
words: Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński
LISTEN TO IT:
Juliusz Łuciuk – Ave Maria
Romuald Twardowski - Sacrum*Profanum
Nokturny I, II (1960)
- In the Bright Lamplight
words: Zofia Sosnowska-Grądmanowa - The Night Fades Away
words: Irena Newert
Kołysanka I, iI
words: Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna
- Krzysia’s Lullaby
- King Herod’s Nanny
A small concert for vocal orchestra (1988)
- Moderato
- Allegro con grazia
Carmina de mortuis (1961)
words: Julian Tuwim
- Moment
- Funeral
- On a sick son
- An Unknown Tree
- Lamentationes (1979)
words: Jeremiasz, Job, Treny, Ps. 37, 129
- Exultate, jubilate (2017)
- Cantus s. Casimiri (2012)
- Chwali, dusze moja, Gospoda (2000)
- Błagosłowi dusze moja, Gospoda (2005)
- Wsiakoje dychanije (1996)
LISTEN:
Romuald Twardowski – Chwali Dusze Moja Gospoda
Romuald Twardowski’s vast body of choral work represents a lasting contribution to the treasury of our national cultural heritage. His music is marked by remarkable diversity of forms and genres, coupled with masterful craftsmanship—all unified by the distinct voice of a composer devoted to the principle of unity in diversity.
The Collegium Cantorum Choir of the Częstochowa Philharmonic, under the baton of Janusz Siadlak, has gathered a wide-ranging selection of Twardowski’s works composed over several decades. This album is entirely dedicated to his choral legacy, offering a vivid reflection of that stylistic variety, while also showcasing the ensemble’s extraordinary versatility and interpretive range.
Edward Pałłasz – Choral Works is an album in which the Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Maestro Janusz Siadlak, presents the rich and varied choral output of Edward Pałłasz. The disc is released by the DUX label.
In Polish culture, Pałłasz stands as a true musical icon—an embodiment of raw talent shaping the artist from within. Remarkably, he was a self-taught composer, an uncommon path in the 20th century. Yet through his vivid imagination and innate musicality, he achieved a personal mastery in crafting complex and captivating works.
Pałłasz’s a cappella music serves not only as a vessel for tradition—whether regional (Kashubian) or national—but also as a testament to his distinctive, individual approach to composition. This newest album from the Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir offers a compelling survey of the composer’s choral legacy, encompassing lyrical miniatures, sacred works, and charming Kashubian carols full of folkloric grace.
Edward Pałłasz – Tam na ścianie zegar tyka
Edward Pałłasz - Choral Works
1.Pastor et Magister (1979)
Three Songs of Mourning (1982–84)
2. Mommy
3. Psalm of Our Dream
4. Epitaph
5.De beata virgine Maria Claromontana (1984)
Two Songs to Words by Osip Mandelstam(1989)
6. Winter
7. I will tell you
From the “Blue Christmas Carol” cycle (1981)
8.You are Calling Dad
9.Oh, Little Jesus
10.Holy Night
Kashubian Christmas Carols (1994)
11.W trąbë grają
12.Witôj, Jezulu
13.Powitajmë Pana
14.Bóg sę z Pannë narodzył
15.Czemuże Të, Jezusku
From Three Kashubian Songs (1988)
16. Tam na ścianie zegar chodzi
17. Wide – Wita
LISTEN:
The tears that Poland’s cultural tradition has long been forced to confront find poignant expression in the works of outstanding 20th-century Polish composers. This is the essence behind Polish Tears—a concept that not only brings to light the music of remarkable artists, but also reflects a broad and deeply human theme of suffering, shaped by diverse sources unique to each composer and individual.
The program, thoughtfully curated by the organizers, presents the complexity of this motif—an exploration that invites reflection, understanding, and ultimately, a sense of catharsis.
Polish Tears
Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz (1916 – 1998)
Orfeusz w lesie
słowa: Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński
- Zamysł
- Wahanie
- Płacz
- Wstyd
- Zmaganie & Porażka
Andrzej Nikodemowicz (1929 – 2013)
6.O jak Bolejesz Matko
7.Płaczesz patrząc na Niego
8.Nie chcesz rozstać się z Synem
9.Matko Bolesna
10.Dzięki Twemu cierpieniu
11.Chwała i dziękczynienie
12. Zaśnięcie
słowa | words: Marek Skwarnicki
Wojciech Kilar (1932 – 2013)
13.Lament
Edward Pałłasz (1936 – 2019)
14. Epitafium
POSŁUCHAJ:
Andrzej Koszewski - Choral Works
1.Muzyka fa-re-mi-do-si (1960)
Tryptyk Wielkopolski
- Czerwona korona
- Idzie konik z miasta
- Wiwat bratu memu
Gry (1968)
- Baj
- Entliczek
- Wilk
- Kotek
9.Angelus Domini (1981)
Tre pezzi (1985-86)
- Canta-move
- Flusso-riflusso
- Ostinato
Trittico di messa (1992)
- Kyrie
- Sanctus
- Agnus Dei
LISTEN:
Koszewski’s unique place in Polish musical literature is perhaps best captured by his vision of the choir as an “orchestra of human voices.” In his work, the choral ensemble is treated as an artistic medium equal to a symphony orchestra in its capacity to shape tone color. With deep respect for the human voice, Koszewski explores its potential through a refined aesthetic grounded in good taste and a commitment to maintaining the sonic experience within the realm of high art.
Thus, all unconventional vocal techniques—such as whistling or whispering, often inspired by the phonetic nuances of the Polish language—are employed thoughtfully and purposefully, never as mere gimmicks or for effect alone. The selection of works featured on our album, performed with exceptional artistry by the ensemble, stands as clear evidence of this creative integrity.
This release in the Anthology of Polish A Cappella Works was recorded on the eve of the first anniversary of Juliusz Łuciuk’s passing. This time, the Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir Collegium Cantorum presents a truly exceptional work of international significance: Vesperae in Assumptione Beatae Mariae Virginis — Vespers for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A closer look at the output of this Częstochowa–Kraków-based composer reveals a distinct personal style built upon several unshakable pillars. Foremost among them is a deep reverence for tradition, especially Gregorian chant—not only in terms of melodic monody, but also the broader cultural and liturgical context in which chant exists. Other defining elements of his musical language include a vivid exploration of harmonic color and a certain emotional simplicity that reflects the composer’s character.
The Vespers featured on this album may be considered the very essence of Juliusz Łuciuk’s musical style—a composer profoundly devoted to sacred music
Juliusz Łuciuk - Vesperae in Assumptione Beatae Mariae Virignis
[2:20]
LISTEN:
In the Midst of Wars - Singing!
Wiechowicz Stanisław – Veni creator
Padlewski Roman – Dwa motety
O anielska Pani
Radości Wam powiedam
Wallek-Walewski Bolesław – Krajobraz muzyczny
Nowowiejski Feliks – Lot Idzikowskiego
Nowowiejski Feliks – Teka Białowieska
Ryś w borze
Dąb rażony piorunem
Taniec na uroczysku
Szeligowski Tadeusz – Pieśń żeglarzy
Szeligowski Tadeusz – Regina coeli laetare
Szeligowski Tadeusz – Angeli słodko śpiewali
Kassern Tadeusz Zygfryd- Cztery motety kopernikowskie – I motet
Kassern Tadeusz Zygfryd – Cztery motety kopernikowskie – II motet
Kassern Tadeusz Zygfryd – Cztery motety kopernikowskie – III motet
Kassern Tadeusz Zygfryd – Cztery motety kopernikowskie – IV motet
LISTEN:
In The Midst of Wars– Sinigng! is an album by Dr. Janusz Siadlak and the Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir, part of the ongoing Anthology of Polish A Cappella Works series. The album’s thematically diverse repertoire offers a multifaceted glimpse into the musical fascinations of composers during the turbulent interwar period.
That era, after all, was marked by an extraordinary surge of cultural development—a breakthrough moment for film, music, and technology—set against a backdrop of growing geopolitical tension. This fascinating thematic richness is precisely what distinguishes the interwar years and the music born within them.
The composers featured here drew inspiration from a wide range of sources: sacred themes, the wealth of secular subjects, Polish history and tradition, and the treasures of national culture. Together, these elements form a compelling portrait of a diverse nation and its equally diverse creators—artists who refused to be confined to a single subject, instead exploring the world of music from many angles.
The album features two large-scale works—Antiphonae (1984) and Apocalypsis (1985)—alongside a shorter piece, Partes Variabiles, composed in the same year.
The Antiphonae cycle, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is written for male choir a cappella. Each of the four antiphons—Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave Regina caelorum, Regina coeli laetare, and Salve Regina—draws deeply from the rich tradition of European sacred music, particularly the legacy of Gregorian chant.
Composed a year later, the monumental Apocalypsis for four solo voices and mixed choir turns to biblical tradition, setting texts from the Book of Revelation according to St. John. At the heart of this work lies a musical meditation on the eternal struggle between good and evil. True to Łuciuk’s compositional ethos, Apocalypsis is marked by transparent textures, clearly contoured melodies, and an expressive language built on vocal color and articulation that brings the sacred text into sharp focus.
Juliusz Łuciuk - Antiphoane. Apocalypsis.
Anthiponae
- Alma Redemptoris Mater
- Ave Regina coelorum
- Regina coeli
- Salve Regina
Apocalypsis
Partes variabiles na chór żeński
- Implemini spiritu sancto
- Alleluja
- Benedic anima mea Domino
- Tollite Hostias
- Afferte Domino
LISTEN
A lesser-performed biblical composition by Juliusz Łuciuk, Partes Variabiles, based on the Book of Psalms and written for children’s or women’s choir (in a vocal-instrumental version with either organ or string orchestra), stands out for its neotonal harmonies, dense yet transparent textures, rich coloration, and refined use of vocal and instrumental timbres.
Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz - Choral Works
Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz (1916–1998)
1 Litania Polska | słowa ks.Jan Twardowski
2 Ave Regina coelorum
Z pieśni chopinowskich | słowa Artur Oppman
4 Po klawiszach
5 Czy przypominasz
6 Jak mazurek zuchowaty
7 Och, walc ten znajomy
8 O, błogosławiona pieśni ukojenia
9 Na klawiszach
Orfeusz w lesie | słowa Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński
10 Zamysł
11 Wahanie
12 Płacz
13 Wstyd
14 Zmaganie
15 Porażka
16 Na most warszewski | słowa Jan Kochanowski
17 Sen żołnierza | słowa Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński
Pieśni kurpiowskie
18 Leciały guńsańki
19 Gospodarze, gospodynie.
20 Kiedym jo ziła ziónek zielóny
21 Chto chce
22 Siadoj Maryś, na wóz
13 Gdzie sie wybziros panie Michale?
24 Tańcujze dziwcyno
25 U jeziorecka
LISTEN:
The compositional legacy of Tadeusz Paciorkiewicz is both rich and remarkably diverse. He worked across virtually all instrumental and vocal-instrumental genres, but—most relevant to this project—he is especially regarded as a master of a cappella choral music.
Paciorkiewicz’s music reflects his exceptional character. He was known as a kind, wise, and honest man. His students remember him as extraordinarily patient and good-natured. Though deeply devoted to his work, he managed to balance it with a fulfilling family life. He composed constantly, guided by a personal philosophy he once described:
“I have always believed that a composer must work consistently—ideally, every day at the same time. One must treat composing like an office job, because inspiration only comes during the act of creation. Emotion is an inseparable quality of my music—without it, music is lifeless and dull. And dullness is the enemy of art.”
The tenth album in the Anthology of Polish A Cappella Works series is a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Krzysztof Meyer—one of Poland’s most significant contemporary composers, whose choral output remains unjustly underrecognized. The album, titled Choral Works, offers a compelling portrait of an artist who has spent decades cultivating a unique musical language—one that marries intellectual depth with emotional authenticity.
The recording features works spanning several decades, from Wieliczalnaja, Op. 71 (1988), to Nehmt hin die Welt, set to words by Friedrich Schiller and completed in 2024—all meticulously performed by the Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir Collegium Cantorum. Of particular note are four world premiere recordings, which reveal Meyer not only as an innovative composer, but also as a master of choral dramaturgy.
Krzysztof Meyer - Choral Works
Nehmt hin die Welt! op.120 (słowa | words: Friedrich Schiller) (2013 – 2024)
- Die Teilung der Erde
- Schwere Prüfungen
- Hast du den Säugling gesehn
- Die Dichter der alten und neuen Welt
- Wieliczalnaja op.71 (1988)
- Staunen op.91 (słowa | words: Gerhard Engelsberg) (1988-1989)
7. Te Deum op.84 (1995/2014)
LISTEN: