Record Reviews

ATOM STRING QUARTET / NFM LEOPOLDINUM ORCHESTRA ~ SUPERNOVA NFM 48 (Barcode: 5902176502447) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the 5th album by the Polish Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, which comprises of violinists Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist and Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, violist Michal ZaborskiFind albums by this artist and cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist. On this album they cooperate with the NFM Leopoldinum OrchestraFind albums by this artist, conducted by Christian DanowiczFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live and presents eight tracks, seven of which were composed by members of the quartet and one was composed by Hanna Kulenty-MajoorFind albums by this artist. The music follows the pattern, which the quartet already perfected in the past, combining composed classical oriented music with a degree of improvisation during the performance. It is sound-wise one of the most “strictly” classical albums recorded by the quartet so far, but the compositions, as usual, travel wide and far from the accepted norms and patterns of Classical Music, offering new aesthetic approaches, uneven rhythmic meters and unconventional harmonies, which are of course the quartet’s trademarks. The level of performance by the quartet and the orchestra are absolutely breathtaking and the complex and highly sophisticated music sounds completely coherent and approachable thanks to these outstanding musicians. The music is certainly demanding to some extent, and might perhaps require more than just one listening session to get into, but the effort is certainly worth it, as this is surely some of the most innovative and artistically pleasing 21st Century music that I had the pleasure to listen to. The level of interplay between the quartet members is one of their greatest merits, and here it is enhanced by collaboration with the orchestra, which also works like magic. Overall, this is another brilliant piece of music created by the Atom String Quartet, which, as all of their other albums, is a must in any serious music collection, as they are completely unique and innovative. In just over a decade the ASQ managed to record an enormous amount of superb music, unparalleled on the World scale. It is a pity this album is rather difficult to find ant it took six years to arrive on my desk – but as usual, better late than never, as it was absolutely worth the wait!

Updated: 27/06/2024Posted: 27/06/2024

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DAWID LUBOWICZ ~ STORIES REQUIEM / OPUS 2022/75 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the 2nd solo album by Polish violinist / composer Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in an unusual setting of violin duo, with Argentinian, resident in Poland, violinist Christian DanowiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are original compositions by Lubowicz. Lubowicz, primarily known as a member of the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, Poland’s Jazz-Classical Fusion ensemble, is by now well recognized first-class violinist and composer of his own right. On this album the music is primarily within the Classical vein, at least at the first encounter. But as the music develops, there is plenty of World Music influences, both Polish lyricism and melancholy and other livelier streaks, all subtly incorporated into the music. Although the music is obviously strictly written, the performances, especially the exchanges within the duo, offer some improvisation. As expected, the music is brilliantly performed and superbly recorded, which results in a most pleasurable ambience and aesthetic atmosphere, which keeps the listener enchanted for the entire duration. Lubowicz masterfully sculpts the miniature melodies, which are adorned by the duo’s virtuosic touches, as if dressed up in delicate musical satin-like fabric. The music crosses centuries between Baroque and Modernism, Tango and Polonaise but ever so smoothly and cleverly avoiding any clashes or clichés. Overall, this is a delightful, highly unusual piece of music, which manages to eschew precise classification, but delivers a solid dose of heartwarming, sophisticated and emotional experience, which should keep all connoisseurs of truly gorgeous music happy for a long time.

Updated: 02/01/2025Posted: 02/01/2025

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