Biography
Recognized in his era as Poland’s foremost composer, Zielenski became the first Polish musician to produce works for instrumental ensemble, a set of three fantasias. Nearly everything known about him stems from two publications. He served as organist to Baranowski, Archbishop of Gniezno, who both nurtured his development and arranged for the printing of his music. One volume contains offertoria scored for two choirs whose forces range from seven to twelve voices. Imitation binds the antiphonal exchanges, while contrasting vocal registers—one choir assigned the upper parts, the other the lower—and differing instrumental colors keep the groups distinct. The companion volume presents communiones, or antiphons, that adopt a more intimate character than the offertoria. Written for three to six voices and featuring occasional solos, these pieces are notable for containing the earliest monodies composed by any Polish musician.