Mass F Major, Józef Ksawery Jan Poniatowski, Paris

Józef Ksawery Franciszek Jan Poniatowski was born in 1816 in Rome, nephew of the last king of Poland – Stanisław August Poniatowski. Diplomat, opera singer, composer of wide horizons, drawing music inspiration from the centuries-old tradition of the Mediterranean basin. Until now, Poniatowski’s art was perceived through the prism of opera’s works and appreciated throughout Europe during his lifetime. The recently found Mass F major has been preserved in the form of solo voices with accompaniment and this is only religious piece of the composer.The Mass is dated to be composed at 1867. Poniatowski’s unconventional approach to the form of the work, considering that it has a religious character and liturgical, free text treatment, expanding the composition with additional parts, or solo passages reminiscent of opera arias, confirms that Józef Poniatowski is not only made a significant contribution to the operas, but also religious work of his time. This work of great artistic value shows the artistry and extensive skills of the artist himself.