M. Drożdżowski - Wielka Noc (pdf)

In the long tradition of performing religious songs associated with Christian festivals, Christmas carols have invariably enjoyed the greatest popularity. That is why we have so many arrangements of them for solo guitar, several guitars and in chamber ensemble with other instruments, including, of course, singing with guitar. Those related to Easter have so far remained in the shadows. Meanwhile, their beauty and variety can impress in many dimensions. One should be reminded of the distinction between passion songs (including Lenten songs) and typical Easter songs with more joyful overtones in connection with the affirmation of the resurrection.

Our well-known composer and guitar arranger Miroslaw Drozdzowski released Passion Songs for solo guitar in 2014. Now we have an album of Easter songs. These thirteen songs come from different times in our history, starting as early as the twelfth-century Christ is Risen, through Gregorian chant and on through the later centuries to our own time. The studies made here are at a medium level of difficulty. Some are based on typical structures for classical guitar like Hallelujah, Jesus is alive to those with almost jazzy harmonies like Hallelujah, ring the bells. Some stand out with simple scordatura like Rejoice, Queen of Angels, where the sixth string is tuned to a D sound.

Let us rejoice in Mr Mirosław's imperative to save from oblivion, through these arrangements, many treasures from the treasury of our folklore and religious tradition.

Prof. Zbigniew Dubiella