Record Reviews

AN ON BAST / MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ ELECTROACOUSTIC TRANSFORMATION OF FILM MUSIC BY KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI FM 013 (Barcode: 888174357317) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the third album by the Polish duo, which consists of ambient / electronic music artists An On BastFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Anna SudaFind albums by this artist) and Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. The album includes thirteen tracks, which were composed and conceived by the duo, all inspired by music composed by the Polish Classical composer Maestro Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, which was either composed as soundtrack music for cinematographic productions or used in such capacity. The album also includes a DVD, which presents six short videos by visual artist Pawel WypychFind albums by this artist, based on six tracks present on the CD, which visualize the music using black & white animations and collages. Penderecki´s involvement with film music is relatively less acknowledged in comparison to his large scale symphonic works, but it has always been some of the most impressive and dramatic of its kind and accompanied some of the best films by some of the most important directors, like David LynchFind albums by this artist, Stanley KubrickFind albums by this artist, Martin ScorseseFind albums by this artist, Andrzej WajdaFind albums by this artist and others. This is by far the most complex and advanced project realized to date by the duo, which shows another perspective as well as another depth of their music. The personal and artistic courage to undertake a project like this one is to be admired and encouraged. After generations of Polish Jazz repeatedly dealing with the music of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist, often ad nauseam, the young and bold Polish Jazz lions discover contemporary Polish Classical music as the source of their inspiration. In 2012 the pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist released a sensational album with his interpretation of music by Maestro Penderecki ("Experiment: PendereckiFind albums with this title") and now this album does it again, no less boldly one may add. Other Jazz albums, for example with music by Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist, were also released lately. This is definitely a refreshing trend. The music included herein is truly overwhelming. Listeners with little or no experience with electronic music or the usage of electronic effects might find it initially strange and a bit difficult, but a couple of listening sessions should break the ice. An On Bast uses an array of different sound effects to create a rich and diverse background upon which Fortuna adds his incredible trumpet passages. These two elements: the electronic and the acoustic, work perfectly together to create a deeply atmospheric musical creation, floating in the infinite sonoric space. Album after album and step after step Fortuna builds up a body of work that is most impressive and simply can not be ignored. His immense talent and versatility, as demonstrated herein in the collaboration with contemporary musical vocabulary, is awe-inspiring. The level of intellectual and emotional dialogue between these two young artists is a ray of hope in this dark age where most things seem to be simply fading out. Thank you!

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ATOM STRING QUARTET ~ PENDERECKI FILHARMONIA SZCZECIN 008 (Barcode: 602508182679) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 Despite the fact that the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist is one of the most household names on the Polish music scene in the last decade since their inception in 2010, this is surprisingly only the 6th album released under the quartet´s moniker. However, the still relatively young members of the quartet: 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, already amassed a most impressive recording legacy of over thirty albums, covering a broad stylistic range, in which they participated either individually or collectively, and which is a most impressive achievement for just one decade by any standard. The essence of the Atoms (as the quartet is fondly referred to by the locals) is perhaps mostly characterized by the dichotomy (imaginary of not) between their Classical roots and other musical idioms, Jazz in particular, in which they were involved with so far. This album is not their first encounter with contemporary Polish Classical Music of course and followers of the Atoms are already familiar with their treatments of works by Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist, but at the same time also with their interpretations of music by Polish Jazz Giants such as Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist or Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, not ignoring the original compositions by the quartet members, which often dance on the thin wire stretched over the chasm dividing "serious" music from the rest of the world. Polish Jazz and the musicians involved with the genre display an obvious obsession with Polish Classical Music, by far more evident and noticeable than any other local European Jazz scene. One might speculate if this is a result of the inferiority complex, which many Jazz musicians suffer from, cultivated by the music education establishment ruled by Classical Music fanatics, or by the love of Polish musical tradition (your guess is as good as mine), but the fact is that the amount of Polish Jazz albums dealing with music of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist (just as an example) is staggering if not to say ridiculous. Maestro Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist is of course quite a different pair of galoshes; his brilliant music is always challenging and intricate, and the fact that some of the Polish Jazz musicians are willing to tackle this difficult subject is a proof not only of their phenomenal technical / virtuosic skills but more importantly their intellectual faculties. The first serious and a most passionate treatment of Penderecki´s work was undertaken in the recordings by Polish Jazz pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist), such as "Experiment: PendereckiFind albums with this title" or "24 Preludes & ImprovisationsFind albums with this title", and this album is a most welcome follow up on the same ambitious path. The music selected for this album concentrates mostly on early works (from 1950s and 1960s but also more recent compositions), chamber and solo pieces for wind instruments and the lovely music composed for the 1965 Polish movie "The Saragossa Manuscript" (which I remember seeing in the cinema accompanied by the leading actor Zbigniew CybulskiFind albums by this artist, who smuggled me in – I was under aged then). All the string arrangements were done by the quartet members of course. The decision to concentrate on the early works, which obviously are less Avant-Garde oriented than the Maestro´s later compositions, and also less grandiose, is one of factors contributing to success of the project. Obviously the huge scale orchestral works would have been almost impossible to transcribe onto the string quartet format, or perhaps the Atoms plan further explorations of Penderecki´s music, which will cover later works. The future will tell. One might ponder if this music has any relationship to Jazz? Well, on the face of it, there is very little, if anything, that might strike a Jazz fan as "familiar". The arrangements are kept well within the Classical Music idiom, staying authentic and close to the source, with no obvious improvisation element, which is considered crucial for Jazz. But when examined more closely the music is definitely Jazzy in spirit even if less so in body, which means that this music crosses the genre boundaries in the listener´s head rather than within the recorded notes. Confused? Great! Overall, this is definitely a beautiful piece of Art, divinely conceived and executed by Masters of the trade. Sublime music and musicianship of the highest class and above all uncompromising and challenging and yet accessible to any open minded music lover. Of course one expects nothing less from the Atoms these days, which is the price to be paid for Fame and Glory. As somebody who stood behind these wonderful musicians from day one and every step of the way, it is enormously satisfying to see them being able to grow continuously and stay forever restless. God speed!

Updated: 27/06/2024Posted: 21/09/2019

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CONTEMPORARY QUARTET (OLES / MAHALL / TIBERIAN / OLES) ~ PLAYS MUSIC OF BACEWICZ, KISIELEWSKI, KOMSTA, LUTOSLAWSKI, PENDERECKI NOT TWO 744 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2002 Released: 2002 This is an excellent album by four European Jazz musicians: German clarinetist Rudi MahallFind albums by this artist, Romanian pianist Mircea TiberianFind albums by this artist and Polish brothers: bassist Marcin OlesFind albums by this artist and drummer Bartlomiej OlesFind albums by this artist (collectively known as Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist). They are collectively called Contemporary QuartetFind albums by this artist and on this album they perform nine pieces based on compositions by five Polish contemporary Classical Music composers: Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, Stefan KisielewskiFind albums by this artist, Grazyna BacewiczFind albums by this artist, Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist and Marzena KomstaFind albums by this artist. Two additional compositions are by Bartlomiej Oles. The album beautifully emphasizes the proximity between contemporary Jazz and contemporary Classical Music, combining the written parts and improvised parts completely naturally to such extent that the listener is not able to distinguish between them. Of course the idea is to express the symbiosis between the two musical idioms, rather than show them side by side. The majority of the music (five compositions) is by Krzysztof Penderecki, who is undoubtedly the most "revisited" contemporary Classical composer by the Polish Jazz musicians. In the liner notes Oles Brothers refer to the legendary recording back in 1971 of a concert initiated by my friend Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, which involved the Free Jazz Orchestra consisting of the top Free Jazz musicians of the day performing the composition "Actions" written by Penderecki, an innovating and daring concept at the time. Over time such interactions became gradually more common, as this album proves. This is demanding music, which requires attentive listening and open-mindedness, but as usual in such cases is very rewarding. Connoisseurs of Jazz-Classical Fusion and Avant-Garde musical excursions should find this most interesting. Although recorded almost 15 years ago and somewhat forgotten, this music deserves to be re-discovered and listened to, as it obviously is absolutely ageless.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 24/01/2017

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KRZYSZTOF HERDZIN ~ COMPOSER`S CONCERT LIVE DUX 0970 (Barcode: 5902547009704) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 Polish pianist / composer / arranger / conductor Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, who is in his early forties at the time these words are being written, managed to create an entire universe of music in the relatively short span of his life so far; a universe so diverse and overwhelmingly rich in forms, idioms and palette that one begins to wonder if the Artist will ever reach his limits and become finally content and contained. Herdzin has been tightrope walking for some time now between Jazz and Classical Music, obviously deeply involved in both genres. Sometimes his works try to amalgamate the genres, creating a Jazz-Classical Fusion, but he also composes "strictly" Classical Music, which is presented on this live recording. Here Herdzin conducts the Polish Radio Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which performs seven of his compositions. Five of these compositions are orchestral works, with two involving only strings and the other three the entire orchestra, another one involves an improvising saxophonist – in this case the brilliant Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist – and the last one is a piano concertino in three parts, on which the composer also plays the piano. Contrary to what one might expect, Herdzin as a Classical Music composer does not follow the Polish "modernist school", which includes such distinguished composers as Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist, Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist and Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist, to mention just the most renowned names. His inspiration is obviously much closer to the French modernists / impressionists like Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist and Maurice RavelFind albums by this artist and the more Avant-Garde "Les Six" group, but of course many other distinguished composers he admires. His works are always full of romanticism and lyricism and are beautifully melodic, which makes them sound "easy" / "pleasant", even if they are in fact quite complex in their structure, harmony and form. The music presented here follows Herdzin´s tendency for creating melodic, romantic and mostly joyful music, which can be enjoyed by a wide spectrum of listeners, which can encompass his Jazz listeners as easily as fans of Classical Music. His Jazz persona is evident in the piece involving the saxophone improvisation, which is stunningly performed and definitely is one of the album´s highlights. The piano concertino also includes quite a few Jazzy hints and undercurrents. Herdzin does not present any groundbreaking discoveries herein, but his music is a very solid statement and pays tribute to his many talents. Overall this is a lovely and aesthetically pleasing piece of music, excellently performed and very well recorded, as much as being a great listening experience. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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HIGH DEFINITION ~ HOPASA EMARCY 602537434725 (Barcode: 602537434725) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by High Definition QuartetFind albums by this artist, a young Polish Jazz outfit comprising of saxophonist Mateusz SliwaFind albums by this artist, pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Alan WykpiszFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. Polish Jazz connoisseurs are of course familiar with Orzechowski (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist), who made a meteoric entrance on the scene as a solo performer and recorded one of the most interesting Polish Jazz albums a year earlier, which presented his interpretations of music written by Maestro Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist. Here we have the occasion to hear him finally as a part of an ensemble, which of course is quite different than performing solo. Dobosz is also somewhat familiar as a member of the phenomenal Magnolia Acoustic QuartetFind albums by this artist, which released a brilliant live album shortly before this album was released. The quartet performs six pieces (well, five actually, as the first one is just a brief intro), four of which were composed by Orzechowski and one is a Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist composition. The album offers a sublime sound quality and ambiance, which not surprisingly is a result of it being recorded at the Studio Tokarnia and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist. Musically High Definition is a quintessence of Modern Jazz in every respect. The musicians are all masters of their trade, which is absolutely amazing considering their tender ages, who perform with virtuosic sophistication, superb intelligence and brilliant feel; and yet these strong individuals are able to collaborate seamlessly to create a whole, which is stronger than the sum of its parts. The music they play is completely contemporary and yet it plays a loving tribute to all the traditional Jazz sub-genres, with humorous hints of Swing, Bebop, Hard Bop, Cool Jazz and of course Free Form, switching from one to another like a butterfly hopping from flower to flower. All that Magic is being performed completely effortless, elegantly and almost nonchalantly, which of course is a sign of true Artistry. They are able to switch tempi, keys and approach several times within a very short span of time, doing it in perfect harmony and unison, which is nothing short of stunning. There is no doubt the Orzechowski is the most dominant personality behind this album, both as a composer and a player. This is not as much a question of solo exposure, but the overall feeling one gets listening to the music, with the piano chord obviously leading the way and stating (or emphasizing) the melodic content. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that of course, as Orzechowski is very charismatic and his musical personality is obviously very extrovert. On this album he is exposed, both as a composer and a player, showing his deep lyricism and even romanticism without any attempt to hide it behind false facades. Here it is, all in the open and in its full glory for us to enjoy. Overall this is undoubtedly one of the strongest releases on the Polish Jazz scene this year, which is even more astounding as this has been a truly amazing year for Polish Jazz. And again, being a debut it is absolutely a miracle. Even more of a miracle is the fact, that it was released on a Major label, which usually releases less ambitious music. Perhaps even they can be converted? Heaven on earth!

Updated: 12/06/2018Posted:

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SLAWOMIR JASKULKE ~ FILL THE HARMONY PHILHARMONICS BCD 04 (Barcode: 5906881885031) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004 This is the third album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Slawomir JaskulkeFind albums by this artist, which presents a five parts suite for piano trio and chamber orchestra of the Jazz-Classical Fusion variety. The additional trio members are bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist, one of Polish Jazz most renowned bassists (Simple Acoustic TrioFind albums by this artist, Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist), and drummer Krzysztof DziedzicFind albums by this artist. The orchestral parts are performed by the Hanseatica Chamber OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Mika UrbaniakFind albums by this artist is featured on one track. The music was composed by Jaskulke, who was twenty four years old at the time. This ambitious project, undertaken by such a young musician, is quite extraordinary by any standard. Although Jazz and Classical music have been previously combined with various degree of success, this attempt is certainly quite different from all the others, employing musical devices, themes and arrangements often contrasting and seemingly clashing with other, like the vocal Rap part in the midst of a fragment performed by the strings. The Jazz trio interludes move in and out of the orchestral accompaniment, as do the solo piano parts. The overall structure does not seem to follow any of the pre-ordained Classical musical configurations, and Jaskulke appears to be using the orchestra as a tool rather than a point of reference. Although free-structured, the music maintains a melodic backbone, which re-appears both in the orchestral and the trio parts. The listener might find this music quite difficult to absorb, certainly during the initial listening phases, since things seldom continue for a period of time long enough to begin to sound "familiar". There is a sense or urgency and unrest, which is reminiscent of music composed for suspense movies. But listeners willing to listen patiently and repeatedly will eventually embrace the entire piece, finding its intrinsic logic. The Classical parts are obviously influenced by contemporary composers and a well trained might hear traces of George GershwinFind albums by this artist, The French Modernists and of course the Polish avant-gardists (Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist & Co.). Polish composer / pianist Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist presides as well, if not bodily then surely spiritually. Stylistically this hodge-podge might need some polishing and sorting out, but give the guy a break; after all he is only twenty four… Regardless if one enjoys this music or not, it surely deserves to be appreciated for its aesthetic merits, its audacity and its innovation. Perhaps it is a bit over the top, but people who don´t dare don´t get there. Personally I quite like it and wholeheartedly recommend it to music aficionados, who are after the less obvious yet more rewarding game.

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LOWBOW ~ MURMURS EASTRINGS 0002 (Barcode: 194171751134) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Classical Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is a stunning debut album by Polish duo LowBowFind albums by this artist comprising of bassist / composer Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist and cellist / composer Malgorzata ZnarowskaFind albums by this artist. American multi-instrumentalist / composer Kevin Scott DavisFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. GlowwormFind albums by this artist) accompanies the duo on four tracks and four other musicians participate on the final track. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Sadowski, except two which are co-composed by him and Znarowska. The music is an absolutely marvelous collection of strongly melodic tunes, which elegantly escape genre classification, and flow between Medieval Church Music, contemporary Classical Music, Ambient vistas and whatever else comes to the listener´s mind while experiencing these deeply moving sounds. The stern minimalism, which seemingly rules a priori due to the duo´s instrumental range, proves to be a complete false assumption, as the duo manages often to sound like a full orchestra in spite of the intrinsic limitations, partly due to multi-tracking but mostly due to the power of the music itself. The ambient synthesized sounds on the tracks with Davis´ participation are completely organic with the rest of the material, which leaves only the last track played by a sextet to round things up with a slightly different accent but completely consistent with the rest of the album. But beyond the unique low key sound, the melodic lyricism and ocean deep melancholy of this music are its most striking characteristics. It easily stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the most profound contemporary Polish Classical Music by such lofty names as Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist, Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist, Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist and others. I know this statement will raise a brow or two, but honestly anybody listening to this music should be able to immediately recognize the distinctive "Polishness" it radiates, and although the formalism of the orchestration may still lack the sophistication of the Masters, it has all it takes to make it profoundly beautiful and lasting. Albums like this make the life of a music reviewer worth living. It is not very often that music of such striking quality lands on my desk in spite of the fact that I get thousands of albums every year. It takes just a few seconds to hear that this is something completely different as far as quality and beauty are concerned and a repeated listening only strengthens this feeling. People who know me are aware of the fact that I am rarely left speechless, but in this case I am truly short of words to say anything more… just listen!

Updated: 23/11/2019Posted: 23/11/2019

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JERZY MILIAN ~ CIRCULATIONS GAD 071 (Barcode: 5901549197969) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 - 1969 Released: 2018 This is the seventh installment of the archival series released by GADFind albums on this label Records, which presents the work of Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. This chapter is dedicated to Milian´s recordings from mid to late 1960s, done in Belgium with the Belgian (Radio & TV) BRT Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, directed by Etienne VerschuerenFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, three of which are three part suites, all composed by Milian. Milian would of course return to work with the BTR Jazz Orchestra in the 1980s, which is documented on the third installment of this series. The music is a wonderful orchestral Jazz, which at the time was considered as part of the searching Third Stream, which was supposed to merge Jazz and contemporary Classical Music, as initiated by the American composer Gunther SchullerFind albums by this artist in the late 1950s and had many sympathizers among leading American Jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s, but never became part of the mainstream of Jazz per se. Milian did not follow the Third Stream conventions by the letter, but his complex compositions and Jazzy improvisations by the orchestra on top of the scores can be without doubt associated with the idiom. In some respects Third Stream was an attempt to Europeanize American Jazz and failed mostly due to the basic cultural incompatibility between mainstream American Jazz and sophisticated European contemporary Classical music, which Americans rejected but some Europeans (Milian included, but also the great Polish composer Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist and many others) embraced warmly. Milian´s compositions are absolutely brilliant and remain completely valid half a Century later, as if composed today. Sophisticated, elegant, clever and beautifully melodic, in some cases incorporating Polish Folklore sources, this music is alive and kicking as it was at the time it was created. The BTR Jazz Orchestra included many excellent instrumentalists, who performed the difficult music without a hitch. Overall this is an incredible piece of Polish / European Jazz history, which absolutely deserves to be heard and studied. With Milian´s recent passing it is even more important to document his work and bring it to the public. For orchestral Jazz enthusiasts this album is an absolute must!

Updated: 15/04/2018Posted: 15/04/2018

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JERZY MILIAN ~ OPTIMA FIDE GAD 208 (Barcode: 5903068123108) ~ POLAND ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1968 - 1970 Released: 2022 This is the eleventh installment of the archival series released by GADFind albums on this label Records, which presents the work of Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. This chapter is dedicated to Milian´s recordings from the late 1960s and early 1970s, done in Brussels, with Belgian (Radio & TV) BRT Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Etienne VerschuerenFind albums by this artist and the BRT Jazz ComboFind albums by this artist conducted by Freddy SunderFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions by Milian and one arrangement of a Classical piece by Polish composer Stanislaw MoniuszkoFind albums by this artist. The compositions include a concerto for vibraphone and Jazz Orchestra and a suite, which gives this album its title. This album is a companion release to the seventh part of this series called “CirculationsFind albums with this title”. The music is a wonderful orchestral Jazz, which at the time was considered as part of the searching Third Stream, which was supposed to merge Jazz and contemporary Classical Music, as initiated by the American composer Gunther SchullerFind albums by this artist in the late 1950s and had many sympathizers among leading American Jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s, but never became part of the mainstream of Jazz per se. Milian did not follow the Third Stream conventions by the letter, but his complex compositions and Jazzy improvisations by the orchestra on top of the scores can be without doubt associated with the idiom. In some respects, Third Stream was an attempt to Europeanize American Jazz and failed mostly due to the basic cultural incompatibility between mainstream American Jazz and sophisticated European contemporary Classical music, which Americans rejected but some Europeans (Milian included, but also the great Polish composer Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist and many others) embraced warmly. Milian´s compositions are absolutely brilliant and remain completely valid half a Century later, as if composed today. Sophisticated, elegant, clever and beautifully melodic, in some cases incorporating Polish Folklore sources, this music is alive and kicking as it was at the time it was created. The BTR Jazz Orchestra included many excellent instrumentalists, who performed the difficult music without a hitch. Overall, this is an incredible piece of Polish / European Jazz history, which absolutely deserves to be heard and studied. With Milian´s passing it is even more important to document his work and bring it to the public. For orchestral Jazz enthusiasts this album is an absolute must!

Updated: 09/10/2022Posted: 09/10/2022

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MOTION TRIO ~ POLONIUM ACORDEONUS 009 (Barcode: 5907437034361) ~ POLAND ~ Classical Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 The Polish accordion trio, called Motion TrioFind albums by this artist, is one of the most intriguing musical ensembles active today, mostly acknowledged in the contemporary Classical sphere, but known also to cross over to other music areas, including Jazz. Founded in 1996 by Janusz WojtarowiczFind albums by this artist, who is the trio´s leader and primary composer of the original music they perform, the trio also includes Pawel BaranekFind albums by this artist and Marcin GalazynFind albums by this artist. Over time the Motion Trio turned out to be a most prolific recording act and this is their eleventh album since 2002. This album plays tribute to the four great Polish contemporary Classical composers, who achieved international fame and recognition, often more so abroad than at home: Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist, Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist and Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist. In addition they also play one composition by Wojtarowicz co-composed with accordionist Jacek HolubowskiFind albums by this artist, a member and primary composer of Acoustic AcrobatsFind albums by this artist, another excellent Polish ensemble. Also included, as a special track, is a composition by Marta PlaszynskaFind albums by this artist, a famous Polish composer living in the USA, dedicated to the trio. Polish Jazz pianist Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist guests on the Gorecki piece. The accordion is sadly a most mistreated and misunderstood instrument in contemporary music, usually associated with folklore, street music and other "low culture" phenomena by Classical music snobs. Very few music lovers understand the incredible wealth of the instrument, its limitless possibilities and the beauty of its profound sound. Therefore the fantastic exposure that the accordion is given by the Motion Trio is a most welcome occurrence of great musical importance. This, in addition to the sheer virtuosity and inventiveness of the trio members, is a guarantee of first-class musical experience, which this album offers. Although the unusual instrumentation may seem a bit strange in relation to the four compositions by the four Master composers, open-minded listeners will be very quickly completely absorbed in the new sonorities and re-discover these pieces in a new light, with undeniable delight. Of course playing such ambitious music speaks highly of the trio´s cerebral approach on one hand and emotional abilities on the other as far as keeping their minds open to a wide scope of music rather than thread on the easy path to success. During my recent meeting with Maestro Penderecki we discussed this album briefly and he wholeheartedly approved this specific interpretation of his composition, certifying his opinion in writing by autographing my copy of the album ;) As long as works of Art like this album are being produced, our Culture is still alive and kicking, but for how long, unfortunately no one can predict.

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ORZECHOWSKI / MASECKI ~ BACH REWRITE DECCA 602537545759 (Barcode: 602537545759) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is definitely one of the most intriguing albums released in Poland in 2013; a completely cross-genre innovative project, which should interest a wide range of music connoisseurs. It combines the eternal music of Johann Sebastian BachFind albums by this artist with two Polish enfants terribles: pianist / composer Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist) and pianist / composer Marcin MaseckiFind albums by this artist, usually associated with Avant-Garde Polish Jazz but also know to have flirted with Classical music, contemporary and otherwise. Orzechowski included a Bach prelude on his debut demo album in 2011 and then shook up the Polish music scene in 2012 with the album presenting his interpretations of the music by the celebrated Polish composer Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist. Masecki performed and recorded many times his interpretations of Classical music pieces earlier on and even recorded in 2012 a complete album covering Bach´s "Die Kunst Der Fuge". Therefore this meeting is not really as surprising, as it might appear at the first glance. The pianists perform three Bach concerti for harpsichord, strings & continuo; each performs one concerto and together they perform a double concerto for two harpsichords. They are accompanied by the Capella CracoviensisFind albums by this artist Orchestra conducted by Jan Tomasz AdamusFind albums by this artist, which specializes in performing early Classical music played on original instruments of the period. The "catch" is that rather than using the harpsichord as intended, Orzechowski uses the Fender Rhodes electric piano and Masecki uses the Wurlitzer electric piano. Other than the effect of hearing an electric piano accompanied by a Baroque orchestra the album sounds pretty straightforward / "normal" and almost conventional. The big surprises are hidden almost at the very end of each of the concerti, when the pianists perform a "solo" / free improvised section, which of course is not a part of the original concerti (in the double concerto they perform this section together as a duo). This bold and innovative idea is what adds an extra "spark" to what this album offers to its listeners. There is of course also the a.m. disparity between the electric pianos and the orchestra, but after a while it simply vanishes and Bach´s music heals this gap quite naturally. Both pianists and the orchestra perform their roles formidably and the overall effect is pleasing, but not overwhelming. The entire project turns out to be less innovative / challenging that one might expect. The short improvised passages are somewhat alien to the music at large and appear to be more "conceptual" than natural. The orchestra is absolutely perfect and the worm sound of the instruments is a true delight. The sound quality is acceptable, but not sensational. Summa summarum this is a pleasant, interesting album, which tries to bring Bach´s music into contemporary environment, which is always commendable. It is not, however, a major / revolutionary concept / achievement. Side Note: The author of the liner notes accompanying this album keeps rumbling on and on about Wendy CarlosFind albums by this artist´ 1968 album "Switched-On BachFind albums with this title", which was a first of its kind recording of Classical music performed on a Moog synthesizer. I completely fail to see any connection whatsoever between that album and the music included herein. Although innovative, "Switched-On Bach" was after all just a gimmick intended to sell records, which worked very well BTW. Any attempt to uplift its status to a significant masterpiece is simply ridiculous as it connecting it with this album.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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PIOTR ORZECHOWSKI ~ 24 PRELUDES & IMPROVISATIONS DECCA 028948164011 (Barcode: 028948164011) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is a monumental solo piano album (2 CDs) by the Polish pianist / composer Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist), which presents twenty four preludes composed by him, each of them followed by an improvisation connected to the prelude; altogether forty eight short pieces of music, sequenced in the order of the chromatic scale from C major to B minor. This is Orzechowski´s fourth album for the Classical DeccaFind albums on this label label, which consistently and faithfully supports his career. The music beautifully portrays the two faces of Orzechowski´s musical personality, rooted on one side in Classical Music ranging between Johann Sebastian BachFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist and on the opposite side in Jazz and Improvisation. Although perfectly capable to stand on its own, this music is much better understood when seen (or rather heard) in the full scope of Orzechowski´s recordings, as presented on the abovementioned Decca albums. But even for a person completely unaware of Orzechowski´s background and recording legacy, it should be immediately apparent that this is a great Artist at work, both as a composer and as a performer. The scope of his imagination, intelligence, musical depth and aesthetic perfection is evident in every one of these forty eight miniatures. Listening to this music is a deep, almost spiritual experience, which should leave no music lover indifferent. In spite of the seemingly serious and complex exterior of this music it is wondrously accessible to every open-minded listener, way beyond hard core Classical or Jazz listeners. The beauty of this music wins the listener over almost immediately and the fact that these pieces are short and diverse completely excludes any chance of boredom or tiredness. Personally I found this music so fascinating that the entire double album seemed to last but a few short moments to me. This music is immensely multilayered. It can be experiences on its exterior layer, but it can also be probed into the inner layers, which reveal intricate complexities in both the composed preludes and the improvised pieces. As such this music should require repeated listening sessions to be explored in depth. Overall this is a masterpiece of contemporary Polish music, which proudly represents the incredibly high level of musical creativity and talent, which many young Polish composers and musicians are blessed with. For people unfamiliar with the treasures of Polish Music, this album could be a wonderful window into what is happening in Poland today. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 26/08/2020Posted: 01/12/2017

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PIOTR ORZECHOWSKI ~ EXPERIMENT: PENDERECKI DECCA 028948101023 (Barcode: 028948101023) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is a stunning debut album by Polish Jazz pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist), a twenty two years old prodigy, who managed to take the local scene by storm and win respect and admiration even from the top echelons of the "serious" classical Masters, like the celebrated Polish composer Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, one of the world´s greatest contemporary classical composers. Orzechowski recorded and privately released a demo album a year earlier, which featured his solo piano performances of his compositions, as well as his interpretations of several classical compositions. He took this idea even further with this project, his formal debut release, by presenting a series of solo piano interpretations of music composed by Penderecki, after approaching the Maestro and receiving his blessing and cooperation. The resulting music is a triumphant amalgamation of Penderecki´s lofty music and Orzechowski´s earthy improvisations, mixing elements of romanticism, Jazz, Avant-Garde and classical modernism. There is an element of youthful rebellion and attitude in Orzechowski approach, as evident by the amount of freedom he allows himself while interpreting Penderecki´s music, which although modernist and even Avant-Garde, is after all formalized by being composed in a most precise manner. I´m especially glad to see the Maestro approving this approach, which shows his open-mindedness and love of musical diversity. This music is way beyond virtuosity, although of course the artist is a bona fide virtuoso; it is first and foremost about creating art, using whatever gift that was bestowed upon you, and Orzechowski is indeed blessed by many gifts. There is his vision and imagination, which made him to conceive such project in the first place, an incredible courage to deal with an iconic figure like Penderecki, the commitment to carry the project out and the aptitude to actually pull it through. All this, mind you, by a twenty two years old human being in a world where others of his age spend their lives twiddling cell phones. Personally this album is a beacon of hope for people like me, who see what they consider as Culture disappearing into a black void. This is not only culture, but an artistic "haute couture" which deserves to be admired and almost religiously followed. Performed on acoustic and electric (Rhodes) piano, the music was beautifully recorded in Switzerland and eventually released on the prestigious classical Decca label, owned by Universal, a clear sign of recognition of Orzechowski´s incredible talents. I´d guess he is one of the youngest, if not the youngest artists ever, who recorded for the label. I have been lucky and honored to be privy to this music from the moment it was created a few months ago when it was sent to me by the artists, asking for my opinion. I forwarded him my warmest support and encouraged him to seek the proper home for his music, which he eventually found. Hopefully this release will trigger international attention and recognition, which this album and its creator so much deserve. A masterpiece!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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.

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KEITH TIPPETT ~ THE MONK WATCHES THE EAGLE DISCUS 102 (Barcode: 5051078984025) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2020 This is a sensational archive album by British Jazz pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, which presents a live recording of his composition for large choir, solo voice and a two saxophone quartets, with lyrics by Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist. The work was commissioned for the 2004 edition of the Norwich and Norfolk Festival and was premiered that year at the Norwich Cathedral where it was also recorded for broadcast by the BBC. Tippett conducted the performance, which included Julie Tippetts on solo vocals, the BBC SingersFind albums by this artist choir, an improvising saxophone quartet comprising of Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist, Kevin FigesFind albums by this artist, Ben WaghornFind albums by this artist and Chris BiscoeFind albums by this artist, and also the Apollo Saxophone QuartetFind albums by this artist. The music is every bit as innovative, far-reaching and groundbreaking as the rest of Tippett´s musical legacy and this posthumous release expands even further the scope of his musical vision, which encompassed enormous variety of works between solo piano music to extremely large ensembles like CentipedeFind albums by this artist or smaller ensembles like ArkFind albums by this artist, and stylistically spanning various Avant-Garde sub-genres between Improvised Music, via Free Jazz to contemporary Classical Music, rubbing shoulders with Progressive Jazz and Art Pop. Most of the body of this work is performed by the choir, which often sounds like an instrument rather than a choir, resembling choral works of 20th Century Classical composers like Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist, György LigetiFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist to mention just the most audacious ones. When accompanied by the saxophone quartets, one supporting the music harmoniously and the other spicing the proceeding with intensive improvisations, the music offers several climaxes, which mark the transitions between the consecutive sections of the entire composition. It is not surprising to see Julie Tippetts taking a major part in this project, like she did in so many of his endeavors over the years. Her vocal performances are the focal point of this music and her improvised soloing should remind everybody of her incredible abilities from the first moment she arrived on the music scene as a Pop star and throughout her transformation as a highly idiosyncratic Avant-Gardist. The presence of Dunmall and Biscoe, two of the British Jazz most significant veteran saxophonists, adds additional quality to the rich tapestry of sounds and aural stimuli. Overall this album is an absolutely essential piece of the puzzle, which Tippett managed to create during his lifetime, and perhaps even one of the most inspired of his works. As usual Martin ArcherFind albums by this artist and his DiscusFind albums on this label label manage to bring an essential piece of the British Culture back to life, saving it from the imprisonment in the darkness of the BBC vaults (God bless them for recording the music), with a lot of help from Julie. This album is an absolutely essential piece of music in any serious music collection!

Updated: 13/11/2020Posted: 13/11/2020

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Essential Recommend To A Friend