composer, organist, and educator; b. January 12, 1937, in Krasnystaw; d. April 27, 2005, in Warsaw. He studied organ under Feliks Rączkowski (graduating in 1963) and composition under Kazimierz Sikorski (graduating in 1968) at the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw. While still a student, he served as an organist at the Garrison Church in Warsaw (1956–66). From 1966, he worked at the Józef Elsner Secondary Music School in Warsaw; from 1973, at the Academy of Music in Warsaw; from 1992 to 2003, at the Department of Church Musicology of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University; and from 2002, at the State Music School No. 4 in Warsaw.

As an organist, he collaborated with numerous ensembles and artists, including Jerzy Artysz, Jadwiga Gadulanka, Pola Lipińska, Bernard Ładysz, Anna Malewicz-Madey, Leonard Andrzej Mróz, Wiesław Ochman, Jerzy Połomski, Sława Przybylska, Kazimierz Pustelak, Ryszarda Racewicz, Jadwiga Rappé, Paulos Raptis, Irena Santor, and Krystyna Szostek-Radrs. He formed an organ duet with Marietta Kruzel-Sosnowska, performing his own works composed for two organists. He recorded organ pieces for various record labels—including Polskie Nagrania, DUX, Veriton, Polskie Nagrania Edition, Polonia Records, MTJ, and Acte Préalable—as well as for Polish Radio and Polish Television. He performed in Poland and abroad, including in Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Marian Sawa’s exceptionally rich number of works comprises primarily organ and choral pieces. His compositions have been showcased during numerous recitals and festivals, including the "Gaude Mater" International Festival of Sacred Music in Częstochowa, the Laboratory of Contemporary Music in Białystok, the "Wratislavia Cantans" Festival, the Organ Conversatorium in Legnica, the Musica Sacra International Festival in Łódź, the Rev. Stanisław Ormiński International Festival of Religious Music in Rumia, the Warsaw Music Encounters, as well as organ music festivals in Frombork, Gniezno, Kamień Pomorski, Kazimierz Dolny, Koszalin, Koronowo, Kraków, Legnica, Leżajsk, Lublin, Łódź, Morąg, Oliwa, Olsztyn, Pelplin, Radom, Rumia, Poznań, Sejny, Szczecin, Warsaw, and Władysławowo, as well as abroad (including Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the United States). A special organ festival entirely dedicated to his music was established in Sejny. He was a member of the Society of Authors ZAiKS and the Musica Sacra Association. He served multiple times as a juror for organ, choral, and composition competitions.

Marian Sawa received numerous awards and distinctions for his compositional work, including the 1st prize at the Polish Composers' Union Youth Competition in 1969 for the piece Assemblage for orchestra (1969), and the 3rd prize at the Composition Competition announced by the Main Board of the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras in 1987 for Dyptyk wiejski (Rural Diptych) for mixed a cappella choir. He was also a recipient of recording awards: in 2000, he won 1st prize at the 15th International Film and Multimedia Festival in Niepokalanów for the album Marian Sawa – Organ Music I, and in 2001, the album Marian Sawa – Organ Music II was nominated for the "Fryderyk 2001" award. Furthermore, he was honored with the Award of the Minister of Education for outstanding achievements in educational work (1975), the Award of the Minister of Culture and Art, 2nd Class (1979), and the Gold Cross of Merit (1985).

In 2006, on the 1st anniversary of the composer's death, the Marian Sawa Society was established in Warsaw.

Website dedicated to the composer: www.mariansawa.org

Małe preludia for harmonium (1962)

Kwartet smyczkowy (1967)

Miniatury for organ (1967)

Sonata na organy (1967)

Toccata i Passacaglia for organ (1967)

Oktet instrumentalny (1968)

Dialogi w dawnych stylach for organ (1968)

Et in terra for organ (1968)

Etiudy chorałowe for organ (1968)

Tryptyk Oliwski for organ (1968)

Muzyka organowa for 2 performers (1968)

Muzyka organowa in 3 movements (1968)

A czemuż to, Christmas carol for solo voice and organ (1968)

Symfonia koncertująca for choir, organ and orchestra (1968)

Assemblage for orchestra (1969)

Capriccio concertante for organ (1969)

Ciaccona quasi una fantasia for organ (1969)

Cztery małe utwory for organ (1969)

Legnicka Rapsodia for mixed choir (1970)

Ave! for organ (1970-71)

B-A-C-H for organ (1971)

Aria for organ (1971)

Fantazja ludowa for organ (1971)

Passacaglia for organ (1971)

Concertino for organ and tape (1971-73)

Etiuda koncertowa for organ (1972)

Musica concertante a due essecutori for organ and positive organ (1972)

Toccata for organ (1973)

Dwanaście etiud organowych (1974)

Dwanaście etiud na pedał solo (1974)

Dwanaście mini-fug organowych (1974)

Osiem trio-kanonów for organ (1974)

Quasi concertante for organ and instrumental ensemble (1974)

Z gwiazdą for voice and piano (1974)

A la rondo for organ (1975)

Assentiment for organ (1975)

D’accord for organ (1975)

Responsoria na Boże Ciało for mixed choir (1977)

Responsoria na Boże Ciało for male choir (1977)

Antyfony for organ (1978)

Dyptyk Warszawski for organ (1978)

Lamentacje for organ (1978)

De herdertjes lagen bij nachte, Flemish carol for tenor and male choir (1978)

Malowanki for 2 trumpets and 2 trombones (1979)

Bogurodzica quasi fantasia for organ (1979)

Fantazja pastoralna for organ (1979)

Fantazje organowe (1979)

Duszo Chrystusowa for baritone solo, trumpet and organ (1979)

Ave Maria for baritone solo, trumpet, tubular bells and organ (1979)

Fantazja „Gorzkie żale” for organ (1980)

Partita maryjna „Matko Najświętsza” for organ (1980)

Partita maryjna „Matko Niebieckiego Pana” for organ (1980)

Partita wielkanocna „Chrystus zmartwychwstał jest” for organ (1980)

Partita wielkanocna „Wesoły nam dziś dzień nastał” for organ (1980)

Partita wielkanocna „Alleluja! Jezus żyje” for organ (1980)

Partita wielkopostna „Jezu Chryste Panie miły” for organ (1980)

Partita wielkopostna „Rozmyślajmy dziś” for organ (1980)

Witraże for organ (1980)

Ave Maria for male choir (1980)

Ave Regina for male choir (1980)

Ecce panis Angelorum for male choir (1980)

Gloriosus Deus for male choir (1980)

Regina caeli laetare for male choir(1980)

Sub tuum praesidium for male choir (1980)

Te Deum for male choir (1980)

Miserere mei Deus for male choir (1980)

Ave Maria for tenor, baritone and 6-voice male choir (1980)

Miserere mei Deus for tenor solo and male choir (1980)

Alma Redemptoris Mater for female and male choir (1980)

Regina caeli for solo voice, female choir and male choir (1980)

Sub tuum praesidium for mixed choir and organ (1980)

Litaniae Lauretanae for mixed choir and organ (1980)

Horarium in honorem Immaculatae Virginis Mariae for solo voices, choir and organ (1980)

Czego chcą dzieci świata, oratorio for solo voices, reciting voice, male choir and orchestra (1980)

Moje pejzaże for precussion instruments and piano (1981)

Quasi concertante for piano (1981)

Scherzino for organ (1981)

Confiteor for mixed choir (1981)

O sacrum convivium for solo voices (1981)

Stabat Mater for mixed choir (1981)

Dzwony cerkiewne for male choir (1981)

Boże jestem Twoim więźniem for male choir (1981)

Oj daj mi powrócić for male choir (1981)

Ojcze nasz for male choir (1981)

Omni die for male choir (1981)

Beatus vir for 3 solo voices and male choir (1981)

Benedic anima mea for solo voice and male choir (1981)

Pieśń Kociłapciów for 3 voices (1981)

Magnificat for solo voices, female choir and male choir (1981)

Stabat Mater for mixed choir and organ (1981)

Suita Wielkanocna for mixed choir and organ(1981)

W góralskiej szopce for solo voice, reciters, male choir and bells (1981)

Pascha nostra for trumpet and organ (1982)

Oremus for organ (1982)

Matko Pszeniczna for mixed choir (1982)

Pater noster for mixed choir (1982)

Lacrimosa for male choir (1982)

Regina coeli for male choir (1982)

Chrystus otwiera ci oczy for solo voice, male quartet and male choir (1982)

Pater noster for solo voice and male choir (1982)

Laetatus sum for mixed choir and organ (1982)

Msza polska for mixed choir and organ (1982)

Alleluja for male choir and organ (1982)

Requiem dla uciśnionych for solo voices, 2 male choirs, percussion instruments and organ (1982)

Ave Regina caeli for trombone and organ (1983)

Scherzino for piano (1983)

Suita koncertująca for organ and piano (1983)

Choros (dla Andrzeja Chorosińskiego) for organ (1983)

Fin (dla Józefa Serafina) for organ (1983)

Malan (dla Jarosława Malanowicza) for organ (1983)

Rubi (dla Joachima Grubicha) for organ(1983)

Arabeska stylizowana for mixed choir (1983)

Jarzębinowy bal for mixed choir (1983)

Pieśń mojej nadziei for mixed choir (1983)

Litania for male choir (1983)

Missa quarta for male choir (1983)

Wiersze śpiewane, 5 pieśni do słów Leopolda Staffa for 3 voices (1983)

Msza łacińska for mixed choir and organ (1983)

Bonjour! Monsieur Chopin for soloists, mixed choir and orchestra (1983)

Sonata na organy (1985)

Ave maris stella for male choir (1985)

De Wonderroos van cassia for male choir (1985)

Suplikacje for male choir (1985)

Ave maris stella for solo voice and male choir(1985)

Stabat Mater for baritone solo and organ (1985)

Missa brevis for male choir (1986)

In monte Oliveti for male choir (1986)

Tryptyk for trombone and organ (1986)

Ecce lignum crucis for organ (1986)

Fantazja nordycka for organ (1986)

Fantazja „Nie opuszczaj nas” for organ (1986)

Te Deum for organ (1986)

O lux beata caelitum for mixed choir (1986)

Ad multos annos for male choir (1986)

Adoro te devote for male choir (1986)

Adeste fideles for male choir(1986)

Beatus vir for male choir (1986)

O filii et filiae for male choir (1986)

O Panie jedynie Ty for male choir (1986)

Ave verum corpus for tenor, baritone and male choir (1986)

Niebiańskie słowo for mixed choir and organ (1986)

Sacris solemnis for mixed choir and organ (1986)

Inviolata for female choir and organ (1986)

Pregiera semplice for solo voices, male choir and organ (1986)

Topofonium for harpsichord (1986)

B-A-C-H for organ (1987)

Taneczne obrazki for organ (1987)

Reincarnation for organ (1987)

Modlitwa o uświęcenie życia for mixed choir (1987)

Litania for male choir (1987)

Litania polska for soprano solo and male choir (1987)

Modlitwa o łaskę uświęcenia życia for mixed choir and organ (1987)

Fresk for flute and organ (1988)

Quadrivium for flute, oboe, bassoon and harpsichord (1988)

Agata for organ (1988)

Ewa for organ (1988)

Magda for organ (1988)

Adoro te devote for organ (1988)

Oda for organ (1988)

Surrexit Christus hodie for organ (1988)

Sekwens for organ (1988)

Sonata na organy (1988)

Makamy organowe (1988)

Hej! Pod Krywaniem for male choir (1988)

W jaśminowym ogrodzie for 3 voices (1988)

W koleinie for 3 voices (1988)

Magnificat for solo voices, male choir and organ (1988)

Jesu meine Freude for organ (1988-90)

Trzy Improperia for organ (1989)

Fantazja „Sansara” for organ (1989)

Hommage à J. Pachelbel for organ (1989)

Jutrznia for organ (1989)

Alleluja for male choir (1989)

Alma Redemptoris Mater for male choir (1989)

Ave Regina coelorum for male choir (1989)

Hejnał WZCH for male choir(1989)

Laudate Dominum for male choir (1989)

Rex pacificus for male choir (1989)

Ave Maria for baritone solo and male choir (1989)

Kolędowanie for tenor, male choir and organ (1989)

Canzona for oboe and organ (1990)

Hommage à Cesar Franck for organ (1990)

Canzona for organ (1990)

Hymne der Stant Sundern for organ (1990)

Gaude Polonia for organ (1990)

Alleluja! Zdrowaś Maryjo for male choir (1990)

Bogarodzico! Dziewico for male choir (1990)

Duszo Chrystusowa for male choir (1990)

Tyś wielką chlubą for male choir (1990)

Sześć psalmów for male choir (1990)

Pięć pastorałek do słów H. Cenarskiej for male choir (1990)

O Panie nasz for voices (1990)

Missa brevis for male choir and organ (1990)

Nieszpory o świętym Andrzeju Boboli for male choir unisono and organ (1990)

Ave Maria for tenor, male choir and organ (1990)

De herdertjes lagen bij nachte, Flemish carol for male choir and brass orchestra (1990)

Invocazione for organ (1991)

Czego chcesz od nas Panie for male choir (1991)

Ego sum panis for male choir (1991)

Krwi Przenajświętsza for male choir (1991)

Alleluja for male choir (1991)

Ojcze Andrzeju for male choir (1991)

Pieśń do Boga for male choir (1991)

Laudate pueri, psalm for male choir (1991)

Veni Sancte Spiritus for soprano solo and organ (1991)

Dwa offertoria for soprano solo and organ (1991)

Koncert na organy solo (1992)

Krasnochmielak for organ (1992)

Małe preludia for organ (1992)

Ave Maria for voice solo and organ (1992)

Ave Maria II for voice solo and organ (1992)

Concerto breve na organy i orkiestrę nr 1 (1993)

Trzy mazurki for piano (1993)

Avec les amis for organ (1993)

Fant for organ (1993)

Gloria tibi Trinitas for organ (1993)

Trzy preludia for organ (1993)

Veni Sancte Spiritus for organ (1993)

Adeste fideles for mixed choir (1993)

Gloria tibi Trinitas for mixed choir (1993)

Jam sol recedit igneus for mixed choir (1993)

Jam przyszedł świadczyć for mixed choir (1993)

Jesu dulcis memoria for mixed choir (1993)

Trzy wersety allelujatyczne for mixed choir (1993)

Veni Sancte Spiritus for 2 mixed choirs (1993)

Anima Christi for mixed choir (1994)

Mazurek for piano (1994)

Pian-Org for piano and organ (1994)

Deo gratias for organ (1994)

Hejnał for organ (1994)

Hymnus in honorem Sancti Petri et Pauli for organ (1994)

Małe preludia for harmonium (1994)

Preludia eucharystyczne for organ (1994)

Sine nomine for organ (1994)

Toccata festiva for organ (1994)

Ave Maria for mixed choir (1994)

Ave maris stella for mixed choir (1994)

Msza polska maryjna for mixed choir (1994)

Msza eucharystyczna for mixed choir (1994)

O sacrum convivium for mixed choir (1994)

Ja cię zawsze będę strzegł for voices (1994)

Msza eucharystyczna for mixed choir and organ (1994)

Msza Maryjna for mixed choir and organ (1994)

Sancta Catharina for mixed choir and organ (1994)

Jam sol recedit igneus for soprano solo and organ (1994)

Modlitwa for baritone solo and organ (1994)

Ozdobo Cypru Święta Katarzyno for voice solo and organ (1994)

Sancta Catharina for voice and organ (1994)

Rex pacificus for mixed choir, organ and 12 trumpets (1994)

W sakramencie utajony for male choir (1994)

Koncert organowy nr 2 (1995)

Arabeska for cello (1995)

Burleska for harpsichord (1995)

Con fuoco for violin and organ (1995)

Largo for violin and organ (1995)

Missa „Orbis factor” for harpsichord or organ (1995)

Sekwens for accordion (1995)

Sonata HaFis for piano (1995)

Sonatina for organ, harpsichord, piano or accordion (1995)

Trzy elegie for organ or piano (1995)

All’Antico for organ (1995)

Fresk gregoriański for organ (1995)

Fuga-Bolero for organ (1995)

Orbis factor for organ (1995)

Noël for organ (1995)

Kalejdoskop for mixed choir (1995)

Rex pacificus for mixed choir (1995)

Salvator mundi for mixed choir (1995)

Maria Mater gratiae, Marian triptych for soprano solo and mixed choir (1995)

Sub tuum praesidium for mixed choir (1995)

Virgo parens Christi for mixed choir (1995)

Czemu płaczesz rzewnie for male choir (1995)

Modlitwa for male voices (1995)

Święty Eugeniuszu de Mazenod for male choir (1995)

O gloriosa Domina for female choir (1995)

Dyptyk Gnieźnieński for solo voices, mixed choir and organ (1995)

Królowo nasza Matko pocieszenia for mixed choir and organ (1995)

Bądź pozdrowiona Pani Święta for solo voice and organ (1995)

Confitebor tibi for soprano and organ (1995)

Białym Orłem wzleć for mixed choir and brass orchestra (1995)

Koncert organowy nr 3 „Legnicki” (1996)

Fuga-Bolero for 2 pianos (1996)

Entrée for string quartet (1996)

Hymn a tre for violin, viola and bassoon (1996)

Rapsod for piano (1996)

In nomine Domini for trumpet and trombone (1996)

Fantazja Jasnogórska for organ (1996)

Fantazja „Regina Poloniae” for organ (1996)

Hymnus II for organ (1996)

Sekwencja I „Dies irae” for organ (1996)

Sekwencja II „Victimae paschali laudes” for organ (1996)

Pastorale for organ (1996)

Liauba for organ (1996)

Fantazja chorałowa „Toi qui disposes” for organ (1996)

Scherzino for organ for 2 performers (1996)

Cantate Domino in laetitia for mixed choir (1996)

Ego sum panis vivus for mixed choir (1996)

Anima mea for mixed choir (1996)

Hymnus „Gentis Poloniae gloria” for mixed choir (1996)

In Jubilatione for mixed choir (1996)

Laudate Dominum – Alleluja for mixed choir (1996)

Matka Boska zna Warszawę for mixed choir (1996)

Dwa motety na Boże Narodzenie for mixed choir (1996)

Popule meus for mixed choir (1996)

Kantata na Boże Narodzenie for solo voices, mixed choir and organ (1996)

Laudate Dominum for mixed choir and organ (1996)

Regina caeli for mixed choir and organ (1996)

Tu es Petrus [wersja I], cantata for solo voices, mixed choir and organ (1996)

Pieśń do św. Brygidy for voice and organ (1996)

Tu Trinitas Unitas for soprano and organ (1996)

Sekwencja na Boże Narodzenie for soprano, alto, bass and organ (1996)

Tu es Petrus [wersja II], cantata for solo voices, mixed choir and organ (1996)

Intrata z hejnałem for organ (1997)

Ad Jubilationem for organ for 2 performers (1997)

Jubilate Deo for 4 hands for organ (1997)

Carmina in honorem Sancti Adalberti for mixed choir (1997)

Modlitwa wieczorna for mixed choir (1997)

Pax vobis for mixed choir (1997)

Salve Regina for mixed choir (1997)

Matko Pomocy Nieustającej for mixed choir and organ (1997)

Terra tremuit for mixed choir and organ (1997)

Carmina Fratribus dicata for soprano, 2 saxophones and organ (1997)

Carmina in honorem Sancti Adalberti for 2 solo voices and organ (1997)

Sancta Caecilia, oratorio for soprano solo, boys' choir, male choir, mixed choir, 2 organs, bells and strings (1997)

Koncert organowy nr 4 (1997-2002)

Koncert organowy (1998)

Introitus for organ and trombone (1998)

RAF for harpsichord (1998)

Suita pieśni maryjnych for 2 trombones, tuba and organ (1998)

Entrada festiva for organ (1998)

Salve Regina for organ (1998)

Spotkanie z „Kalinką”, burlesque for organ (1998)

Hymnus Academiae Balticae for mixed choir (1998)

Oremus pro Pontifice for mixed choir (1998)

Crucem tuam for male choir (1998)

Domine exaudi for male choir (1998)

Pax vobis for male choir (1998)

Ubi caritas for male choir (1998)

Moja Polska for male choir (1998)

Norwidowe dumania for baritone solo and piano (1998)

Psalm 96 for countertenor and organ (1998)

Cantate Domino, cantata for soprano, bass, mixed choir, 2 organs and strings (1998)

Via Crucis for soprano, baritone, reciting voice, mixed choir and brass orchestra (1999)

Intermezzo for orchestra (1999)

Dyptyk for oboe and organ (1999)

Fantazja for saxophone and organ (1999)

Suita stylizowana for oboe and organ (1999)

Sonata na organy nr 2 (1999)

Tota pulchra es Maria for mixed choir (1999)

Laudate Dominum for 4-voice female choir (1999)

Pater noster – Fiat voluntas tua for 4-voice female choir (1999)

Koncert for saxophone and organ (1999)

Droga Krzyżowa, oratorio (1999)

Ver ridet for mixed choir (2000)

Góroliki for string orchestra (2000)

Postludium „Krzyżu Święty” for organ (2000)

Preludium „Ach mój Jezu” for organ (2000)

Santa Barbara – Fantazja S-A-B-A for organ (2000)

Ecce Homo for mixed choir (2000)

Laus Deo for mixed choir (2000)

Magnificat for soprano and organ (2000)

Sonant for trumpet and organ (2001)

Missa brevis (Verbum Caro) for mixed choir and organ (2001)

Fantazja chorałowa for organ (2001)

Canzonetta for B-flat clarinet, violin and cello (2001)

Toccata for organ (2001)

Surrexit Christus Hodie... Alleluja! for bass and mixed choir a cappella (2001)

Tryptyk o św. Klemensie Hofbauerze-Dworzaku for baritone solo, mixed choir and organ (2001)

Nad brzegiem Wisły for solo voice and organ (2001)

Largo for violin, clarinet and cello (2002)

Ave Maria for 3 voices (2002)

Ad Jubilationem for mixed choir (2002)

Trzy dialogi for violin and organ (2002)

Quarto Giorni for B-flat clarinet, violin and cello (2002)

Preludia na temat polskich pieśni kościelnych for organ (2002)

Fantazja amerykańska na tematy amerykańskie for organ (2002)

Ave regina caelorum for organ (2002)

Preludium i Fuga „Greensleave” for organ (2002)

Trzy obertaski for piano (2002)

In honorem servi Dei Stephani Cardinalis Wyszyński for mixed choir and soprano (2002)

Pasterzu Kościoła for 3 voices (2002)

Psalm 62 for 3 voices (2002)

I-VI Alleluja for 3 voices (2002)

Missa in resurectione for mixed choir and organ (2002)

Pasterzu dobry for voice and organ (2002)

De profundis for soprano and organ (2002)

Ciebie Boga wychwalamy for 3 voices (2002)

Toccata organowa BA-MA for 2 performers (2003)

Fantazja „Święty Boże” for organ (2003)

Ave Maris Stella for organ (2003)

Dwie rapsodie organowe (2003)

Lajkonik for solo violin (2003)

Smutna melodia for piano (2003)

Krakowiak for piano (2003)

Furioso for piano (2003)

Crux fidelis for mixed choir (2003)

In monte Oliveti for mixed choir (2003)

Stabat Mater for female and mixed choir, solo voices, piano and organ (2003)

Nativitas Mundi, oratorio for soprano, mezzosoprano, reciting voice, 2 female choirs, male choir and orchrestra (2004)

Duet for flute and organ (2004)

Msza do św. Huberta for natural horn and organ (2004)

Studium for vibraphone, 2 cymbals and bell (2004)

Fantazja myśliwska na temat „Pojedziemy na łów” for organ (2004)

Dante for organ (2004)

Fantazja śląska for organ (2004)

Magnificat for 4-voice female choir and organ (2004)

Cor Jesu for 3 voices and organ (2004)

Wyjrzałam na ulicę, waltz for voice and piano (2004)

Toccata i fuga for solo organ (2004)

Missa Claromontana for mixed choir, organ and timpani (2005)

Łukaszewski Marcin Tadeusz, Sawa Marian, Akademia Muzyczna w Warszawie, Warszawa 2004

Popkowicz-Tajchert Renata, Marian Sawa. Czołowy kompozytor muzyki organowej, "Twoja Muza" 2005 nr 5, s.23-24

Mamos Elżbieta, Geniusz improwizacji, "Twoja Muza" 2006 nr 1, s. 29-30.