The history of music in Poland dates back thousands of years and encompasses various influences and periods of evolution. The beginnings of music in Poland can be found in ancient folk and religious songs that were sung during ceremonies and rituals. In the Middle Ages, Polish music developed under the influence of Gregorian chant, Gregorian chant, and Western European polyphony, especially in the context of church music.
With the advent of the Renaissance in the 16th century, the first music prints appeared, and Polish composers, such as Mikołaj Gomółka, created religious music and works with patriotic themes. In the Baroque period, the 17th century, Polish music developed under the influence of Italian, German, and French music, and composers such as Jan z Lublina and Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki achieved significant success.
The period of Poland’s partitions in the 18th century brought stagnation in cultural development, but music persisted mainly in the form of folklore and patriotic songs. The golden age of Polish music fell on the 19th century, the Romantic period, associated with the national Romantic movement. It was then that composers such as Fryderyk Chopin, Stanisław Moniuszko, and Ignacy Jan Paderewski gained worldwide recognition, and national opera and patriotic songs flourished.
After regaining independence in 1918, Poland became a place of development for various musical currents, from classicism to avant-garde. Composers such as Karol Szymanowski and Witold Lutosławski gained international recognition. World War II brought difficulties in cultural development, but also resulted in the creation of works associated with resistance to occupation.
After the war, Poland became open to various influences from abroad, which resulted in even greater musical diversity. Particularly significant was the period of the Polish Composers’ School, associated with figures such as Witold Lutosławski, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. Music in Poland continues to develop, encompassing a wide range of musical genres, from traditional folk songs to contemporary experimental compositions.
In the Center for Culture and Art in Łąka, rich in musical traditions, there is a continuation of ancient folk and religious songs that form the foundations of music development in Poland. Through singing and instrumental classes, such as violin, guitar, percussion, or keyboards, the center not only cultivates these traditions but also gives people the opportunity to develop in these directions. Similarly to the history of music in Poland, where medieval songs and church music evolved through the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanticism, local initiatives support musical diversity, from traditional songs to modern compositions.
Inspired by the actions of composers such as Chopin, Moniuszko, or Lutosławski, participants in classes at the Center for Culture and Art have the opportunity to explore various musical currents, gaining skills and inspiration for creating and interpreting their own works. Contemporary artistic activities in local cultural centers continue the long history of music in Poland, which has evolved over centuries, developing with diversity and the spirit of the times.
Józef Ryś, a multifaceted artist, born and associated with the town of Łąka, is an undeniable creative spirit of this region. Living from 1898 to 1971, Ryś was not only a remarkable musician but also an outstanding draftsman, painter, and writer. He spent his entire life in Łąka, where he served as a perfect observer of human customs and rural life.
Under the influence of his friend, Franciszek Kotula, a Polish ethnographer and historian, Józef Ryś wrote and illustrated “Wesele Łąckie”, the best description of local weddings, containing notes and lyrics of dozens of songs. His work, full of caricatural-satirical charm, reflected the authenticity of rural life, through the eyes of a person with deep sensitivity to social justice and human existence.
Ryś was also the author of “Przy kominie. Od dziadków do wnuków”, a saga of the Rysi family, which described the conditions of village life with sentimentality but also with a realistic view of poverty, difficulties, and tragic events, such as fires or lack of food.
A modest but joyful man, Ryś boldly stood up for human justice through his texts. His voice, fighting for a better world, distinguished him among others. As a musician, Ryś was extremely versatile. He played both folk chants and American jazz standards, attracting representatives of Polish cultural elite with his music.
Franciszek Kotula, a Polish ethnographer, historian, folklorist, and museum curator, described Ryś as a man who, despite modest education, was an integral part of the rural cultural elite. His curiosity about the world, travels, and constant pursuit of knowledge made him an extraordinary representative of the local community, attracting numerous artists and intellectuals from all over Poland to Łąka. His artistic and social legacy remains indelible, continuing to inspire subsequent generations to discover local culture and history.
