The Great Organ of the Cathedral in Lodz (Poland) Builder: Wolfgang Eisenbarth (Passau, Germany), 1978 Recorded, edited and mastered by Jakub Garbacz (Ars Sonora), 7/2011 The album begins with variations on „Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" [1-3], a Protestant chorale for oboe and organ, composed in 2008 by Naji Hakim, a Parisian organist and composer. Separate pieces of the work refer to the first, third and sixth verse of the song respectively. The chacona „Le Jardin suspendu" by Jehan Alain [4] makes reference to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The trees planted on the multi-level terraces rose above the city walls, thus giving the appearance of gardens floating in the air. „The hanging garden is the perpetually pursued and fugitive ideal of the artist, it is the inaccessible and inviolable refuge” – Alain writes. In the equally beautiful and poetic way, Alain explains the idea of his „Litanies" [5]: „When, in its distress, the christian soul can find no more words to implore the mercy of God, it repeats, times without end, the same fierce-faithed prayer. Reason reaches its limits and only belief can chase its flight.” „Diptyque" by Gaston Litaize [6-7] is another instrumental duet on the record. The first part, soft and quiet, is based on a constant, insistent even repetition of a motif B-A-C-H. After this comes a Scherzo, in which the instruments seem to be engaged in a lively conversation. A plan made by the composer to create the third part was never accomplished. Jean Langlais's „Fête" [8] is an incredibly dynamic piece. However, like on every feast day, there is a place for peace and prayer. The album ends with Olivier Messiaen's „Diptyque" [9] which comes from the early period of his artistic work. This composition is dedicated to the composer's professors: Paul Dukas and Marcel Dupré. The first part depicts the earthly life with its worries and concerns, while the second part, the contemplative one, is a vision of eternal bliss. - Jakub Kwintal -