Easter is the time for the Passions, the sacred music telling the story of Jesus’s 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. Featured as well 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.