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Photo: From the ensemble’s archives
Octava ensemble
Considered by music critics to be one of the most
interesting Polish vocal ensembles of the younger
generation, Octava ensemble quickly established
its position among Polish chamber groups. Its
repertoire includes works from various eras, from
medieval music up to the œuvre of contemporary
composers; it is also not averse to works that blur the
boundary between jazz and popular music. Octava
ensemble (previously the Octava vocal octet),
esteemed by jurors at the most important Polish
and international festivals and choral competitions,
has won many top prizes. Among these is the most
prestigious in the area of Polish choral arts – the
Grand Prix at the 39 th edition of Legnica Cantat. The
ensemble takes part in numerous music festivals,
concerts and artistic projects, collaborating with
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many cultural institutions in Poland and abroad.
Octava ensemble’s vocal skills and versatility are
attested by the fact that the group has premièred
many works by Polish and foreign artists, taking
part in many recordings. Their disc with B. Pękiel’s
Missa pulcherrima and motets by G. G. Gorczycki
made for Dux – the most significant recording label
on the Polish music market – received a nomination
for the Fryderyk 2010 prize. Every one of the
musicians’ performances is acclaimed by audiences
and critics. The ensemble’s artistic director is
Zygmunt Magiera, a graduate of the Academy
of Music in Kraków, the winner of 1 st Prize at the
12 th National Choral Conductors’ Competition in
Poznań and 2 nd Prize at the Towards Polyphony
International Choral Conducting Competition; he
simultaneously holds the post of artistic director of
the Capella Cracoviensis singers’ ensemble.