Valentin Bakfark

Most Popular Works
See all

Biography

Born: 526; Brassó, Transylvania   Died: August 22, 1576; Padua, Italy  
Despite his upbringing as a musician off the beaten track in Eastern Europe, Valentin Bakfark enjoyed a meteroic rise to incredible fame and wealth; he served in turn the Queen of Hungary, the King of Poland, the Duke of Prussia, the Archbishop of Lyons, and the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor. His fame was so great that his name later became a part of the Polish language. Though born in Transylvania (modern-day Romania), Peter Kíraly has shown that Read more Bakfark was ethnically German. His father, brother, and perhaps his nephew as well played the lute, and Bakfark showed an early aptitude for music. His father arranged for his apprenticeship (perhaps to an Italian lutenist) at the court of the King of Hungary. When the king died some four years later, in 1540, Bakfark apparently pleased his widow the Queen, serving her court for a further nine years. His next career move (1549) was to Kraków, Poland, where he won a position among the King's musicians.

In 1551, he met Duke Albrecht of Brandenburg, whose patronage would further expand Bakfark's career. Albrecht obtained his release to travel to Germany and Italy, though the political situtation prevented his completing the journey. Instead, he traveled to France and published his first book of lute music while in Lyons; he briefly appeared the French royal court and that of the Pope in Rome. Albrecht, uncle to the King of Poland, also convinced the King to offer Bakfark numerous raises, and even perhaps some land, when he returned. He was ennobled sometime in the mid-1550s.

Suddenly, in 1565, Bakfark made two visits to Vienna. During the first, he printed his second book of lute music; during the second, he abandoned the King of Poland to enter the Holy Roman Emperor's service. He married a second time in Vienna, and may have tried to settle down, but after a brief period as a political prisoner he and his family moved to Padua in 1569. He made music for the Prince of Transylvania for a year or so, but in 1571 returned to Padua for good. Tragically, Bakfark and all of his family (wife and four children) died in 1576 during a plague outbreak. Polish literature quickly elevated him to heroic status among its cultural heritage. Read less
Browse 1-4 of 4 Available Recordings
  • 1.
    The Lviv Lute / Oleg Timofeyev, Sarmatica
    The Lviv Lute / Oleg Timofeyev, Sarmatica
    Label: Sono Luminus   Catalog: 92134 Release Date: 06/28/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georg Brack,  Joan Ambrosio Dalza,  John Dowland,  John Johnson  ... 
    Performer:  Oleg Timofeyev
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sarmatica
    Recommendation
    CD: $17.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $17.99 Add to Cart

    MP3:  $9.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 2.
    Of Polish Kings
    Of Polish Kings
    Label: Dux Records   Catalog: 761 Release Date: 05/25/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anonymous,  Seweryn Kon,  Valentin Bakfark,  Valentin Haussmann  ... 
    Conductor:  Marcin Zalewski
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Canor Anticus
    Recommendation
    On sale! $19.98
    CD: $17.99
    Back Order
    BUY 
    On sale!   $19.98   CD:  $17.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 3.
    If Lute Could Speak... - Dlugoraj, Etc / Zalewski, Gondko
    If Lute Could Speak... - Dlugoraj, Etc / Zalewski, Gondko
    Label: Dux Records   Catalog: 408 Release Date: 04/27/2004   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wojciech Dlugoraj,  Bálint Bakfark,  Anonymous,  Franciszek Maffon  ... 
    Performer:  Marcin Zalewski,  Michal Gondko
    On sale! $19.98
    CD: $17.99
    Special Order
    BUY 
    On sale!   $19.98   CD:  $17.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 4.
    Art Of The Lute Player / Jacob Heringman
    Art Of The Lute Player / Jacob Heringman
    Label: Avie   Catalog: 11 Release Date: 11/26/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Alonso de Mudarra,  Luis de Milan,  Valentin Bakfark,  Matthäus Waissel  ... 
    Performer:  Jacob Heringman
    Recommendation
    On sale! $16.49
    CD: $13.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $16.49   CD:  $13.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST