Jakub Polak (musician)

This article is about Polish musician. For Czech anarchist and Roma rights activist (1952–2012), see Jakub Polák (anarchist). For Austrian physician active in Iran (1818–1891), see Jakob Eduard Polak.

Jakub Polak (c. 1545 - c. 1605), also known as Jakub Reys (Reis, de Rais, de Reiz, de Restz, de Retz, du Retz)[1] and Jacques le Polonois, was a Polish lutenist and composer. He was notable for his service as court lutenist to Henry III of Poland and France.[2] Initially Polak served as one of the court musicians at Kraków, and after Henry III fled Poland, Polak joined him in Paris in 1574. He was an author of several lute compositions, most notably preludies, fantasies, dances and several chansons. During his lifetime he was renowned for his lute improvisations.

  1. ^ Poźniak, Piotr (2001). "Jakub Reys". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.‎
  2. ^ "The Oxford Companion to Music" Scholes,P Oxford,OUP,1955 p823