Record Reviews

ADAM BALDYCH & LESZEK MOZDZER ~ PASSACAGLIA IMAGINARY MUSIC 001 (Barcode: 5905817210015) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by a two Polish Jazz musicians: violinist / composer Adam BaldychFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen relatively short tracks, six composed by Baldych, two composed by Mozdzer, four co-composed by them both and finally three Classical compositions, one by Eric SatieFind albums by this artist, one by Medieval 12th Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist and one by Renaissance 16th Century composer Josquin des PrezFind albums by this artist. I have followed closely the development of Baldych’s career from the very early stage, noticing immediately not only his exceptional talent as a musician, but also his determination and understanding of the investment needed to build an international career, which was quite unique among his Polish peers. He asked of me to write the liner notes for one of his early albums, the “Magical TheatreFind albums with this title” from 2011, which I did with pleasure. This might have led to his acceptance as part of the roster of the German ACTFind albums on this label Records label, a step which boosted his international career tremendously. Baldych released a series of highly successful albums on ACT over the years, but this new release marks the next step in building his career, the establishment of his own record label / publishing company, called Imaginary MusicFind albums on this label, with this album being its debut release, and his Wife’s album “ButterflyFind albums with this title” appropriately released hand in hand. Considering the classy, fashionable design and packaging of these products, he certainly knows what he is doing. Classically trained, Baldych obviously feels close to his sources and knows perfectly well how to incorporate them in his music, which is always characterized by a deeply melodic appeal, with the Jazzy improvisations ideally suited to caress and delicately embellish the melodic core. He uses the beautiful sound of his Renaissance violin, in addition to the usual instrument, to extend the palette and uses plucking extensively, which makes the violin sometimes sound almost like a guitar, and again expanding the sound variety. Baldych always had an incredible talent to compose incredibly touching melodies, which are simply irresistible, and which are often heart-melting even in the case of most hardened opposition. While listening to the album I had often a notion that the music was somewhat out of contemporary time-frame, perhaps something one would expect from a Baroque-period collection of pieces. Although there is plenty if improvisation, it remains so “well-hidden”, almost camouflaged, as if being an integral part of the compositions, rather than their extrapolations. This might be a very clever way to bring listeners nor used to improvisation to listen to this music without any predispositions. Overall, this is a sophisticated cross-over between Jazz-Classical Fusion and almost cinematic contextual music, which offers beautiful melodic themes, richly encrusted in delicate improvisations, which should apply a wide range of listeners, mostly not necessarily Jazz oriented ones. It is a step into a different musical dimension from what used to be Baldych’s modus operandi, but not so radically different than it may appear at first glance. Almost meditative at times, it is surely a magical sound experience.

Updated: 28/03/2024Posted: 28/03/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SINFONYE ~ AURORA CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13128 (Barcode: 013711312829) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 1997 Released: 1999 This is the 2nd volume of the complete works by XII Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist, recorded by the British vocal octet SinfonyeFind albums by this artist, formed in 1986 and directed by Stevie WishartFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, with are songs with lyrics in Latin, performed mostly a cappella, with subtle accompaniment by Wishart on hurdy-gurdy. Some of the songs are performed solo by one of the octet’s vocalists and others are performed by the entire ensemble. The album was recorded in the Toddington Church in Gloucestershire, England. The mystical figure of Hildegard von Bingen (Hildegard of Bingen), a XII Century German Benedictine abbess, philosopher, poet, composer, visionary, mystic and medic, was undoubtedly one of the most impressive European women of the Middle Ages, and her contribution to music was truly momentous. I often return to her music, with I treat with an attitude completely unrelated to its religious significance, simply in search of the heavenly harmony it offers, as solace in moments of desolation. The performances are absolutely sublime, carefully arranged and balanced, recorded in the perfect natural echo-chamber of the Church, exactly as this music was meant to be originally performed. The effect is striking and penetrates deeply inside the listener’s heart / soul / mind… In retrospect perhaps we have learned nothing in the (almost) Millennium, that separates us from the age in which this music was created, as it has so much more to say than almost everything we can hear around us today. The human voice is, after all, the ultimate instrument.

Updated: 05/10/2024Posted: 05/10/2024

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SINFONYE ~ O NOBILISSIMA VIRIDITAS CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13129 (Barcode: 013711312928) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004 This is the 3rd volume of the complete works by XII Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist, recorded by the British vocal octet SinfonyeFind albums by this artist, formed in 1986 and directed by Stevie WishartFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, with are songs with lyrics in Latin, performed mostly a cappella, with subtle accompaniment by Wishart on hurdy-gurdy and Richard VendomeFind albums by this artist on portative organ. Some of the songs are performed solo by one of the octet’s vocalists and others are performed by the entire ensemble. The album was recorded in the Church of the Douai Abbey in Berkshire, England. The mystical figure of Hildegard von Bingen (Hildegard of Bingen), a XII Century German Benedictine abbess, philosopher, poet, composer, visionary, mystic and medic, was undoubtedly one of the most impressive European women of the Middle Ages, and her contribution to music was truly momentous. I often return to her music, with I treat with an attitude completely unrelated to its religious significance, simply in search of the heavenly harmony it offers, as solace in moments of desolation. The performances are absolutely sublime, carefully arranged and balanced, recorded in the perfect natural echo-chamber of the Church, exactly as this music was meant to be originally performed. The effect is striking and penetrates deeply inside the listener’s heart / soul / mind… In retrospect perhaps we have learned nothing in the (almost) Millennium, that separates us from the age in which this music was created, as it has so much more to say than almost everything we can hear around us today. The human voice is, after all, the ultimate instrument.

Updated: 25/09/2024Posted: 28/08/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SINFONYE ~ SYMPHONY OF THE HARMONY OF CELESTIAL REVELATIONS CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13127 (Barcode: 013711312720) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 1995 Released: 1996 This is the 1st volume of the complete works by XII Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist, recorded by the British vocal octet SinfonyeFind albums by this artist, formed in 1986 and directed by Stevie WishartFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, with are songs with lyrics in Latin, performed mostly a cappella, with subtle accompaniment by Wishart on hurdy-gurdy. Some of the songs are performed solo by one of the octet’s vocalists and others are performed by the entire ensemble. The album was recorded in the Toddington Church in Gloucestershire, England. The mystical figure of Hildegard von Bingen (Hildegard of Bingen), a XII Century German Benedictine abbess, philosopher, poet, composer, visionary, mystic and medic, was undoubtedly one of the most impressive European women of the Middle Ages, and her contribution to music was truly momentous. I often return to her music, with I treat with an attitude completely unrelated to its religious significance, simply in search of the heavenly harmony it offers, as solace in moments of desolation. The performances are absolutely sublime, carefully arranged and balanced, recorded in the perfect natural echo-chamber of the Church, exactly as this music was meant to be originally performed. The effect is striking and penetrates deeply inside the listener’s heart / soul / mind… In retrospect perhaps we have learned nothing in the (almost) Millennium, that separates us from the age in which this music was created, as it has so much more to say than almost everything we can hear around us today. The human voice is, after all, the ultimate instrument.

Updated: 25/09/2024Posted: 25/09/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend