Ks. prof. dr hab. Piotr Nawrot SVD – muzykolog rangi światowej

Abstract

Father Piotr Nawrot, D.Litt. SVD (born on 2nd June 1955 in Poznań), in his studies of the musical heritage of the Guarani, Maxo, and Chiquito Indians over the Jesuit reductions period (1609-1767) is recognized as an exceptional expert at the Baroque Latin-American music, particularly that of Bolivian Amazonia of the XVII and XVIII centuries. Having won the confidence of the local Indians, Father Nawrot managed to collect, catalogue, preserve, list and reconstruct about 12,000 pages of musical manuscripts, which had hitherto been jealously guarded and stored by the Indians themselves. The manuscripts included the scores of the polyphonic masses, motets, hymns, psalms, vespers, vilancio, lamentations, passions, litanies, Baroque airs, a few operas, etc. The original documentation of the above manuscripts as well as their studies can be found in a number of volumes published by Father P. Nawrot as well as in over forty CD recordings and in regularly held musical festivals and concerts he organizes. Moreover, Father P. Nawrot makes his research results known throughout talks and lectures presented in numerous countries on various continents. No wonder then that Father Nawrot’s exceptionally original and creative contribution to the discovery of our civilization’s cultural heritage has been noticed, appreciated and rewarded with numerous prestigious international awards. Currently, Father Nawrot conducts his scientific activity and research both in Bolivia and at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (the Faculty of Theology).