Religious songs of Otto Mieczysław Żukowski (1867–1942) from the Volume 10 „Liturgical Chants for One, Two and Four Mixed Voices to the Accompaniment of Pipe Organs or Harmonium” – theological problems and issues musical

Abstract

In the presented article the author discusses six religious songs of Otton Mieczysław Żukowski (1867–1942) of the Volume 10 – „Śpiewy kościelne w układzie na jeden, dwa i cztery głosy mieszane z towarzyszeniem organów lub harmonium” [„Liturgical Chants for One, Two and Four Mixed Voices to the Accompaniment of Pipe Organs or Harmonium”]. The songs include: Modlitwa [The Prayer]; Pozostań z nami [Stay with us]; Królowo niebios [The Queen of Heaven]; Zostań z nami Panie [Lord Stay with us]; Matko Bolesna [Sorrowful Mother]; O Jezu Chryste [Oh Jesus Christ]. They are songs to be performed by soloists to the accompaniment of pipe organs. Żukowski composed songs to the poetical texts of authors contemporary to him. The songs were important, as performed during the liturgy or during the non-liturgical services, they have became catechesis to be sung in the times of limited access to systematic religious education. Moreover, as they were written in the Polish language, they could be understood by the participants of Latin liturgy. In terms of semantic meaning, the songs have provided the knowledge of God in the Holy Trinity, expressed the faith in the Divine Providence, highlighted the true presence of Jesus in the sacramental forms and emphasized the person of Mary in the act of salvation.