Gorczycki, Grzegorz Gerwazy

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Gorczycki, Grzegorz Gerwazy

Gorczycki, Grzegorz Gerwazy, important Polish composer; b. Bytom, Silesia, c. 1647; d. Krakow, April 30, 1734. He studied at the Univ. of Prague; was rector of the Congregatio Missionis in Chelmno (1674-76), and studied theology at the Univ. of Vienna (1689); he received a doctorate in philosophy from 1 of the 2 aforementioned Univs. He may have been in the service of King Jan III Sobieski (1674-96). He was chapel master at Wawel Cathedral in Krakow (1698-1734), where he caught a fatal cold while conducting at the coronation of August III andMaria Josepha (Jan. 17, 1734). He was a significant figure in Polish religious music. His works to Latin texts include motets, hymns, Psalms, and masses, some with instrumental accompaniment.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire