Wacław z Szamotuł

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Wacław z Szamotuł (b. c. 1520 in Szamotuły near Poznań - c. 1560 in Pińczów), also called Wacław Szamotulski or Venceslaus Samotulinus, was a Polish composer.

Szamotulski was a true Renaissance man, educated in such diverse areas as law, mathematics, and philosophy, which he studied at the University of Cracow. Aside from music, he also wrote poetry, both in Polish and Latin. In 1547 or 1548 he was appointed to the court of Sigismund II Augustus as a composer. However, he did not have to teach youngs singers, probably for his problems with voice.

Unfortunately, he died early, and only a few of his works survived. In Szymon Starowolski's words, who wrote the first concise biography of Wacław, If the Gods had let him live longer, the Poles would have no need to envy the Italians their Palestrina, Lappi, and Vedana.

His motets In te Domine speravi and Ego sum pastor bonus were the first Polish musical compositions to be published abroad.

[edit] Surviving compositions

Alleluja, Chwalcie Pana Alleluia (Laudate Dominum omnes gentes - Praise The Lord)
In te, Domine, speravi (published in Nuremberg, 1554)
Nakłoń, Panie, ku mnie ucho Twoje (Bow Down Thine Ear, O Lord)
Ego sum pastor bonus (published in Nuremberg, 1564)
Kryste dniu naszej światłości (O Christ, who art the Light and Day) - Lenten Compline Hymn (ca. 800 A.D.)
Błogosławiony człowiek (Beatus vir, qui non abiit... - Blessed Is The Man)
Nunc scio vere
Modlitwa, gdy dziatki spać idą or Już się zmierzka (Prayer For When The Children Got To Sleep)
Pieśń o narodzeniu Pańskim or Pochwalmyż wszytcy społem (Song Of The Nativity)
Powszechna spowiedź (Daily Shift)