Music of the Skalne Podhale Region

A Manual for Learning Highlander Music

The textbook prepared by Krzysztof Trebunia-Tutka is the first such comprehensive publication in Poland devoted to highlander music. They consist of 3 volumes: "A handful of theories" (the most substantively and visually diverse), "Finger notation" and "Music notation" as well as recordings with which people who want to learn the secrets of highlander music should become familiar with.

The graphics on the covers refer to the mountain horizon view and sound recording (recording the soundtrack in a music editing program). It is also an optical illusion of a reflection in the water (a reference to mountain lakes in which mountains "look at each other"), as well as a reflection of the notes: note and finger, which represent the same content in two different forms. Horizontal typography completes the division of the reflection and strengthens the game of associations.

The cover image is vivid, expressive. Strongly contrasting combination of intense green and deep black emphasizes the emotionality and energy of highlander music.

In volumes 2 and 3, color inversion was used, in volume 1 (theoretical), the form of a sketch / drawing / outline was used - in order to distinguish it from the materials for the practical learning of the game. Such a procedure makes it possible to refer indirectly to the outline of the theory.

The title and graphics printed on covers are in the silk-screen technology. The elastic belly band around the three-volume release evokes associations with a vertical line ("scale" - marker) in an audio processing program. Red color accents: threads, end paper and elastic contrast with the green and black of the covers, they are an additional portion of energy. The use of raw linen with a strong weave and red threads is a reference to traditional highlander costumes.

Format: 23,5 cm x 30,5 cm; Number of pages: vol. 1: 88, vol. 2: 344, vol. 3: 300; Cover: 73250 Brillance canvas, silkscreen; End paper: Antalis PopSet Ultra Red 120 g/m2; Inside paper: Alto Naturel vol. 1,5, 100 g/m2; Inside print: vol. 1: offset 5+5 (186 U Pantone + CMYK), vol. 2: offset 2+2 (black + Pantone 583 U), vol. 3: offset 2+2 (black + Pantone 583 U); Circulation: 1000; sewn-glued binding; red threads; red elastic-belly band

The publication is opened "flat", which ensures the comfort of using individual volumes while performing music.

Location and Timeframe: 2019–2021; Kraków; Poland

The publication is a specific anthology of the most important and beautiful highlander melodies and songs, often forgotten or rarely performed.

Image Credits: Aleksandra Toborowicz – photos

Awards and Accolades: This Design was awarded Bronze in A' Print and Published Media Design Award in 2021. Bronze A' Design Award: Bestowed upon outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. Esteemed for incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology, they exhibit strong technical and creative skills and contribute to quality of life improvements, making the world a better place.