Mysteries from the Museum Shelf

12.04.2017

Last year, the Tadeusz Tylewski Medical University of Gdańsk Choir celebrated its 60th anniversary. During this period of time the Choir gave hundreds of concerts and won numerous prizes in major choral music competitions. In 2006, during the 4th World Choir Games in Xiamen, China, the MUG’s Choir under the direction of Jerzy Szarafiński won three medals – one gold and two silver.

On the MUG Museum’s shelf we find a very interesting exhibit. It is a vinyl record released by the Veriton record label with the Choir’s recordings. The vinyl with the catalog number XV-703 is entitled “Masterpieces of vocal music for mixed choir a cappella ”.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the exact date of its issue. Based on other information about the activity of the Choir it can be assumed that it was issued after 1964 or 1965. It was then conducted by Leon Snarski, who took over the management of the Choir after the sudden death of Tadeusz Tylewski in 1959. The vinyl consists of recordings of various composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Karol Szymanowski and Stanisław Wiechowicz. The cover of the vinyl was prepared by Poland’s leading graphic designers, Zbigniew Lengren and Marek A. Karewicz. The album was reissued by the Veriton record label under a shortened title “Masterpieces of vocal music” and was numbered SXV-703 or SXV-703 P. The information on the cover shows that during the release of this material the Choir was managed by the successor of Leon Snarski, Ireneusz Łukaszewski. The release date, as in the previous case, is not given and it had another cover.

The vinyl is in a very good technical condition. It goes as far as to say that it would have never been played before.

Looking at the album and its cover, listening to the recordings of the MUG’s Choir which tradition continues so well to this day under the management of Jerzy Szarafiński, it is worth remembering on how many fields it highlighted the activity of our University.

The history of the described vinyl record was written thanks to Ewa Bień M.D. Ph.D. and maestro Jerzy Szarafiński.