Record Reviews

RICHARD GALLIANO ~ NINO ROTA DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 028947646150 (Barcode: 028947646150) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is an album by French accordionist / composer Richard GallianoFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist, American trumpeter Dave DouglasFind albums by this artist, Russian (resident in US) bassist Boris KozlovFind albums by this artist and American drummer Clarence PennFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is dedicated to the cinematic music by the great Italian composer Nino RotaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twenty tracks, all but one composed by Rota and one is an original composition by Galliano, dedicated to Rota. Rota’s music was one of the most distinctive soundtracks of the Italian / European and later on also Hollywood cinema. His cooperation with Italian directors like Frederico FelliniFind albums by this artist, Luchino ViscontiFind albums by this artist and Franco ZeffirelliFind albums by this artist and later Francis Ford CoppolaFind albums by this artist, made his brilliant film scores world famous and everlasting. Galliano and the quintet’s treatment of Rota’s music is wonderfully balanced between the original melody lines and their Jazz interpretations, full of superb musicianship and imagination. Sometimes hidden from the eye (ear), at other times easily recognizable, the epic melodies fly one after another like scenes from b/w movies, and those of us, who experienced these brilliant films at their first exposures, are swept on a carpet ride through a sentimental journey, full of memories and emotions. These were definitely better times… Overall, this is a sublime interpretation of the cinematic music by Nino Rota, played by great Jazz instrumentalist and arranged, adapted and orchestrated with great care and aesthetic respect by Galliano. This is a breath of fresh air in every respect, perhaps not a typical Jazz album, but certainly one that leaves the listener with a wide smile and a tear in the eye…

Updated: 30/10/2023Posted: 30/10/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PIOTR ORZECHOWSKI / KUBA WIECEK ~ THEMES OF DRACULA ANAKLASIS 021 (Barcode: 5907795211893) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is a duo album by two of the most prominent representatives of the young contemporary Polish Jazz scene: pianist / composer Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist) (born 1990) and saxophonist / composer Kuba WiecekFind albums by this artist (born 1994). The duo performs their take on the music composed by the Polish Classical Music / Cinematic Music composer Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist, which served as the soundtrack of Francis Ford CoppolaFind albums by this artist film “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”, hence the title. The album was released by the prestigious Polish AnaklasisFind albums on this label label as part of its “Revisions” series. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with the usual subline sound quality. Although Kilar’s music received already quite a few Jazz readings over time, this album goes far beyond just interpreting the original notes, and offers an entirely new musical universe, way beyond the source. Both Orzechowski and Wiecek are able to add their very personal and highly unusual / unique vistas, both as composers of the newly created music and performers, often applying novel / innovative techniques utilized on their relative instruments. The level of the performances by both musicians is absolutely phenomenal. The resulting music is completely fascinating and totally unexpected, even for listeners familiar with earlier recording by these two musicians. It becomes a wonderful example of the “Art of the Duo”, not only on the physical / audible plane and even more importantly on the metaphysical plane, which drives them to play they was they do. Although the music is complex and demands total submission from the listener, it rewards the audience by inspiring the intellectual processes it manages to invoke and the aesthetic pleasures generated it stimulates. Overall, this is another excellent addition to the “Revisions” series and an important step forward in the recording legacy of both these young and highly talented musicians, who are open to new vistas and don’t shun difficult challenges. This is not stress-free music, but a highly rewarding visit to new musical worlds, which does not happen that often these days. Beautifully done – hats off my young Friends!

Updated: 02/02/2023Posted: 02/02/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

KUBA STANKIEWICZ ~ KILAR V 001 (Barcode: 5903111377007) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is finally the full album (preceded by a teaser EP), which presents one of the best Polish Jazz pianists Kuba StankiewiczFind albums by this artist playing his interpretations of music written by the great Polish contemporary Classical and Cinematic music composer Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist. The music is performed on solo piano, the most "naked" of all formats but also the most unlimited one. Kilar, who is unfortunately less know outside of Poland than his contemporaries like Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist or Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist, is by no means less important and neither is his wonderful musical legacy. His work as a composer of film scores is truly legendary and his music accompanies over 100 films by all major Polish directors, like Roman PolanskiFind albums by this artist and Andrzej WajdaFind albums by this artist, and also those beyond Poland, both in Europe and the US (for example Francis Ford CoppolaFind albums by this artist). Although a modernist, Kilar´s music is full of romanticism and lyricism, and his sublime sense of melody is second to none. This album includes twelve compositions by Kilar, ten of which are from film scores and the remaining two from TV serials. Stankiewicz treats Kilar´s music with a lot of respect and obvious love. The relaxed and delicate interpretations are full of charming moments, where the improvisations move out and return to the melodic theme. Stankiewicz has a wonderful touch on the piano, which sounds full-bodied and expressive even at a low volume. The overall effect is simply delightful. I especially admire the pianist´s humility and modesty which are the predominant features of his approach to the music. He firmly leaves the focus on the amazing compositions, taking only very limited liberties with the original notes and making his personal input subtly concealed, exposed only to the sensitive listener. Contrary to many other Jazz pianists, who often like to dominate their interpretations of other composers´ music with their own statements, Stankiewicz simply serves as a vessel bringing Kilar´s music to a new audience. Following decades of Polish Jazz musicians obsessively interpreting the music of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, it´s truly refreshing to hear some musicians turning the attention to other great Polish composers, like the sensational "Experiment: PendereckiFind albums with this title" released recently by pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist or the new album by the superb RGGFind albums by this artist trio performing the music of Karol SzymanowskiFind albums by this artist. This music is very different, but also very interesting and no less challenging intellectually. An absolute must to all piano, solo piano and Jazz-Classical Fusion listeners everywhere. This is a heartwarming piece of music, which is a balsam to the ears, weary from the noise that surrounds us all. This album was released on a new Polish Jazz record label, called VFind albums on this label Records, steered by the producer Adam DomagalaFind albums by this artist. I look forward impatiently to hear the future releases by this label and in the meantime wish the best of luck with this admirable project to both maestro Stankiewicz and his producer.

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

KUBA STANKIEWICZ ~ STANKIEWICZ PLAYS KILAR (EP) V ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This EP is a brief glimpse at a work in progress, which hopefully will be completed very soon, which presents one of the best Polish Jazz pianists Kuba StankiewiczFind albums by this artist playing his interpretations of music written by the great Polish contemporary Classical and Cinematic music composer Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist. The music is performed on solo piano, the most "naked" of all formats but also the most unlimited one. Kilar, who is unfortunately less know outside of Poland than his contemporaries like Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist or Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist, is by no means less important and neither is his wonderful musical legacy. His work as a composer of film scores is truly legendary and his music accompanies over 100 films by all major Polish directors, like Roman PolanskiFind albums by this artist and Andrzej WajdaFind albums by this artist, and also those beyond Poland, both in Europe and the US (for example Francis Ford CoppolaFind albums by this artist). Although a modernist, Kilar´s music is full of romanticism and lyricism, and his sublime sense of melody is second to none. Stankiewicz treats Kilar´s music with a lot of respect and obvious love. The relaxed and delicate interpretations are full of charming moments, where the improvisations move out and return to the melodic theme. Stankiewicz has a wonderful touch on the piano, which sounds full-bodied and expressive even at a low volume. The overall effect is simply delightful. Following decades of Polish Jazz musicians obsessively interpreting the music of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist, it´s truly refreshing to hear some musicians turning the attention to other great Polish composers, like the sensational "Experiment: PendereckiFind albums with this title" released recently by pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist. This music is very different, but also very interesting and no less challenging intellectually. I look forward impatiently to hear the complete album soon and with Stankiewicz a priori the best of luck with this admirable project.

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend