Song of Our Roots

Marcin Bornus-Szczyciński

One of the pioneers in the field of performance of the baroque vocal music in Poland. Founder of Bornus Consort (1981), ensemble specializing in Polish polyphony from the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Bornus Consort realized many recordings for the Polish Radio, also albums with works by Bartłomiej Pękiel, Petrus Wilhelmi de Grudencz, Mikołaj Zieleński, Marcin Mielczewski, and what is more, all of the works of Wacław z Szamotuł.

Recently, he has devoted himself almost exclusively to the monody, especially to the liturgical one. He calls himself a ‘traditionalist’, rather than a musician, who deals with the recognition, preservation and dissemination of diverse local traditions.

He lectured the traditional singing at the Dominican College of Philosophy and Theology in Cracow and Warsaw. The interest of the Dominican liturgical tradition resulted in cooperation with Marcel Pėrès and Dominique Vellard.

He was the festival’s creator and its artistic director from the very beginning till 2006, when the 14th edition took place. Currently, he plays the role of honorary director and advisor. He is also in charge of singing during the festival’s liturgies.