Maxylewicz, Wincenty Ferreriusz (EN)

Maxylewicz Wincenty Ferreriusz, *1685, †24 January 1745 Krakow, Polish composer, vocalist, and conductor. Between 1693 and 1698 he studied at the Jesuit music school in Krakow. In the years 1719–29 he was a vocalist and conductor of the ensemble at Jasna Góra in Częstochowa; he belonged to the group of better-paid musicians. None of his compositions have been preserved in the archives of the Jasna Góra ensemble. Before 1737 he was the cantor of the cathedral school in Kraków; he taught singing and the principles of music to the vocalists (discantists) of the ensemble. In 1739 (following the death of Fr. Andrzej Bargiel), he became the conductor of the cathedral ensemble, which he led until the end of his life. He was buried on 26 January 1745 in the Bernardine Church. According to a note written after the composer’s death by A. Grabowski (published by A. Sowiński in Słownik…), Maxylewicz left behind his wife Marianna and daughters; this note also shows that his contemporaries held Maxylewicz in high esteem as a composer and teacher. The accounts of the Krakow ensemble show that under Maxylewicz’s direction it was highly active; thanks to his efforts, the large and small portable organs as well as the positive organs (both in the small and large choir) were repaired, and new instruments were also brought from Leipzig (two trumpet-trombones and a horn). According to W. Zientarski a violinist named Maxylewicz performed in the Gniezno ensemble in 1729, but it not known whether this was the same person.

The surviving works for four-part mixed a cappella choir are imitative motets in the stile antico. Gloria Tibi Trinitas demonstrates Maxylewicz’s strong command of the stile concertato. In the central section, the composer introduces an aria-like solo, while the instrumental introduction and the choir form the outer sections of the work. In the lost Missa Triumphalis, the title itself suggests the use of instruments.

Literature:  A. Sowiński Słownik muzyków polskich dawnych i nowoczesnych, Paris 1874; A. Chybiński W. Maxylewicz, “Kwartalnik Muzyczny” 1929/30 no. 5; G. Mizgalski Podręczna Encyklopedia Muzyki Kościelnej Poznań 1959; Z.M. Szweykowski Nowe inwentarze, nowy obraz historii, “Ruch Muzyczny” 1963 no. 3; J. Węcowski G. G. Gorczycki, W. Maxylewicz oraz D. Stachowicz w świetle nowych odkryć i badań, master’s thesis, manuscript in the Warsaw University Institute of Musicology Library, 1964; W. Zientarski Z dziejów katedralnej kapeli muzycznej w Gnieźnie, “Nasza Przeszłość” XXIV, 1966; A. Żórawska-Witkowska, dictionary entry Maxylewicz, in: Polski Słownik Biograficzny, XX/1, iss. 84, Wrocław 1975; P. Podejko Kapela wokalno-instrumentalna Paulinów na Jasnej Górze, Krakow 1977; E. Głuszcz-Zwolińska Zbiory muzyczne proweniencji wawelskiej, «Musicalia vetera. Katalog tematyczny rękopiśmiennych zabytków dawnej muzyki w Polsce», 1/6, ed. Z.M. Szweykowski, Krakow 1983; P. Podejko Katalog tematyczny rękopisów i druków muzycznych kapeli wokalno-instrumentalnej na Jasnej Górze, «Studia Claromontana» XII, 1992; B. Przybyszewska-Jarmińska Muzyka barokowa w Rzeczpospolitej, XI Festiwal Muzyki odnalezionej, 2004; J. Węcowski, dictionary entry Maxylewicz, in: Encyklopedia Katolicka, XII, Lublin 2008.