Easter is the time for the Passions, the sacred music telling the story of Jesus’ suffering and death, each lasting several hours. Along similar lines, we have the Easter hymns.

Poets and composers have always found inspiration in the themes of Easter and its many moods and feelings - from awe, festivity and hope, via humiliation, disappointment, betrayal, anguish and death, to victory and boundless jubilation. Seen in relation to the Passions, there are few recordings of Easter hymns.


Three of Norway’s finest musicians, mezzo-soprano Marianne Beate Kielland, violinist Elise Båtnes, and organist Kåre Nordstoga, have collaborated on the album 'Påsketid', with hymns that convey all the moods of Easter. Also featured are classical Easter works of Bach, Handel and Gorecki.

The recording aims to illuminate Easter themes and help draw attention to the beautiful Easter hymns, both familiar and lesser known.

Track Listing:
1. Egil Hovland: Han gikk den tunge veien
2. Norwegian Folksong: Jesus, din søte forening å smake
3. J S Bach: Erbarme dich
4. Hans Leo Hassler: O hode, høyt forhånet
5. Gorecki: O Domina Nostra
6. O Guds Lam uskyldig
7. Hill deg, Frelser og forsoner
8. Se, dødens brodd er brutt
9. Soren Gangflot: Hør vår helligaftens bønn
10. Å, gledesfylte stund
11. Ludwig Lindeman: Krist stod opp av døde
12. Handel: I know that my Redemer liveth
13. Livet vant, dets navn er Jesus
14. Ludwig Lindeman: Påskemorgen slukker sorgen