Wojciech Długoraj (c. 1557 - after 1619), also called Wiecesław Długoraj, Adalbert Długoraj and Gostinensis, was a Polish
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...
composer and lutenist.
Biography
His birthplace is unknown, with Polish
Gostyń
Gostyń (, 1941-45: ''Gostingen'') is a town in western Poland, seat of the Gostyń County and Gmina Gostyń in the Greater Poland Voivodeship (from 1975 to 1998 in Leszno Voivodship). According to 31 December 2023 data its population was 27,846 ...
and Ukrainian
Gostynets as possibilities, stemming from Dlugoraj's Latin appellation "Gostinensis", but the variants of these toponyms are extremely common in Eastern Europe. He was initially active at the court of
Samuel Zborowski, between 1583 and 1585 also at the royal court of
Stefan Batory.
Zborowski, Długoraj's first master, was so cruel that the lutenist fled his court. He found employment with a new master who treated him well, but was discovered and compelled to resume his duties with Zborowski. Długoraj was able to escape his plight when he found incriminating letters of his master's, which he transmitted to the king via
Jan Zamoyski
Jan Sariusz Zamoyski (; 19 March 1542 – 3 June 1605) was a Polish nobleman, magnate, statesman and the 1st '' ordynat'' of Zamość. He served as the Royal Secretary from 1565, Deputy Chancellor from 1576, Grand Chancellor of the Crown f ...
. Zborowski was eventually executed, but Długoraj was forced to flee to
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
for fear of Zborowski's heirs, who swore revenge. He apparently lived out his years abroad.
Works
Długoraj is notable for a number of
fantasies,
villanellas and dances. A large number of his works have been preserved in lute manuscripts.
References
* P. Poźniak, art. "Długoraj Wojciech" ''Encyklopedia Muzyczna''.Red.: E. Dziębowska. Tom 2, p. 417. Kraków,PWM, 1984
* Paprocki, W. - Herby rycerstwa polskiego. Kraków 1584
* Byron Nilsson, "Notes on the Composers," liner notes for Peter Blanchette, ''Archguitar Renaissance,'' performed by Peter Blanchette with the Virtual Consort and Charlie Schneeweiss (Troy, New York, Dorian Recordings: 1999), p.
External links
Długoraj's ''Fanthasia Op. 1'' in .mid format
Polish composers
Renaissance composers
Polish lutenists
1550s births
17th-century deaths
Composers for lute
Polish male classical composers
Musicians from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
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