On the initiative of Director Jan Łukaszewski, the Polish Chamber Choir has released "Drogi do Niepodległej" [Roads to Independence], a sheet music book. This fascinating and unique publication, enhanced with photographs and a captivating historical and musicological description, contains 14 songs of the Polish Legions in World War I and four pieces by Ignacy Jan Paderewski arranged for the a cappella choir by Ireneusz Łukaszewski. The book was funded by the Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski Institute for the Legacy of Polish National Thought as part of the Patriotic Fund, Independence, the Polish Way edition.
The book will be released on 12 May 2022, on the 87th anniversary of Józef Piłsudski’s death.
The book is a record of intriguing arrangements of songs of the Polish Legions in World War I and lieder by Ignacy Jan Paderewski set to lyrics by Adam Asnyk, arranged by Ireneusz Łukaszewski, outstanding choirmaster and composer, which will certainly serve to popularise this unprecedented part of Polish musical culture. This edition aims to generate musical and historical interest in the Republic of Poland’s road to independence, full of fascinating and heroic stories of the Polish legionnaires and model patriotic attitudes.
Besides sheet music, the "Drogi do Niepodległej" choir book contains photographs of Polish Legions in World War I and reproductions of drawings by Artur Grottger. It is published in a masterful visual setting (196 pages in B4 format) by Gdańsk painter and designer Dominika Gzowska.
The book is intended for all those who are interested in choir singing. Through the unique artistry of the pieces in the book and the moderate level of performance difficulty, it can be a source of inspiration for choirmasters and groups, amateur, professional and school-based alike. "Drogi do Niepodległej" [Roads to Independence] will be made available to libraries, schools, music institutions and museums free of charge to hopefully enrich the repertoire of many a concert.
Funded by the Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski Institute for the Legacy of Polish National Thought under the Patriotic Fund, Independence in Polish edition
