Record Reviews

EWA LIPSKA / ZBIGNIEW PREISNER ~ 2016 DOKAD? UNIVERSAL MUSIC POLSKA 602557360660 (Barcode: 602557360660) ~ POLAND ~ Sung Poetry Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is a live recording of a concert, which presents a series of compositions by composer Zbigniew PreisnerFind albums by this artist with texts by poetess Ewa LipskaFind albums by this artist. The music is performed by several vocalists, including Lisa GerrardFind albums by this artist, Edyta KrzemienFind albums by this artist and others, a large mixed choir and many instrumentalists, including pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist, organist Jozef SkrzekFind albums by this artist, percussionist Slawomir BernyFind albums by this artist and others. Both Lipska and Preisner also contribute spoken / sung parts. The 2CD album presents twenty-two tracks, which are also available on the enclosed DVD. The music, which encompasses Classical, Folkloristic and Popular music elements, offers a form of a contemporary oratorio, but the subject matter is completely secular, and touches on deeply philosophical / political / social matters, which trouble the Polish society, as much today as it did through the ages. Lipska’s tongue, sharp as a razor, is completely ruthless and slaughters holly cows by the dozen, often shockingly “in the face”, which often is the only way to jiggle people out of their lethargy. Preisner’s music fits the “wild” and provocative lyrics perfectly, creating an amalgam of somber, deadly serious atmosphere with seemingly lighter interludes of cabaret-like textures. Of course one can always ponder on the effectiveness of “protesting” in Art, and the realization that even the most talented human beings, like Allen GinsbergFind albums by this artist and the entire Beat Generation, or Bob DylanFind albums by this artist and the entire Protest Generation, or Marek GrechutaFind albums by this artist, or Julian TuwimFind albums by this artist managed to change anything in the long run, prevent wars, social injustice or human stupidity. And yet, the Artists simply must do, what they do, since they just wouldn’t be Artists if they wouldn’t do what they do, hoping that someone will hear what they mean. Overall, this is a monumental stage enterprise, which forces the listener to face a mirror, and which uses an entire arsenal of Cultural armament: music, poetry, spoken word, etc. to make one simple, but powerful statement: “wake up! I consider myself extremely happy to be able to count several of the protagonist of this ambitious masterpiece as my friends. Thank you for the words and the sounds!

Updated: 24/05/2024Posted: 24/05/2024

2CD+DVD 3 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ZBIGNIEW PREISNER / LISA GERRARD ~ IT`S NOT TOO LATE PREISNER PRODUCTIONS 003 (Barcode: 5903111904050) ~ POLAND ~ Special Products Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is a new chapter in the continuous cooperation between Polish composer Zbigniew PreisnerFind albums by this artist and Australian vocalist / composer Lisa GerrardFind albums by this artist. In addition to Gerrard’s vocals, the music is created by Preisner, who plays the Hammond organ and other instruments, pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist, cellist Magdalena PlutaFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Jerzy GlowczewskiFind albums by this artist. The vocals were recorded at the Synagogue in a small town of Bobowa in southern Poland and the instrumental parts in Preisner’s studio. The album presents nine tracks, five co-composed by Preisner and Gerrard, three composed by Preisner and one partly based on a piece from the soundtrack of the film “Man Of God”, composed by Preisner. Gerrard sings in her metaphysical language. As usual with Preisner’s projects, the music is simply beyond classification. Obviously, considering his legacy as a cinematic composer, cinematic music comes instinctively to mind, by that would be a gross simplification, as cinematic music basically means nothing beyond music written specifically for cinema. The music on this album builds an entire universe of musical associations, encompassing Classical, Sacred, Contemplative, Ceremonial and so on, but honestly the most important is the emotional message this music is trying to convey, which offers a rainbow of sensations between deep despair and elated hope. Obviously deeply influenced by the reality of the world we live in, including the calamities of Pandemic and War, this music tries to rise a ray of hope, as the title suggests. The music is very minimalistic, restrained and slowly developing, with an aura of a medieval piety, Jewish prayer, operatic arias and Ambient meditative vistas, led by Gerrard’s virtuosic vocals and delicately supported by instrumental passages, with occasional solos by the piano, cello or saxophone. The vocals are encircled by the sublime natural echo of the Synagogue, which inspires the very special ambience of the entire album. Gerrard’s vocal improvisations are Godly in every respect, not surprising but always stunning anew, and combined with the music and instrumental support sound perhaps more convincing here than ever before. Both Preisner and Gerrard are natural phenomena of epic proportions, and combined here enhance and complement each other in a perfect win-win manifestation. Overall, this is a deeply moving album and a very unique piece of music, which is completely universal, ageless and borderless musically. Created by an amalgam of great talents and deep conviction, this is an example of music which is able to move mountains. Thank you, my Friends, for the gift of music!

Updated: 22/10/2022Posted: 22/10/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ZBIGNIEW PREISNER / LISA GERRARD / DOMINIK WANIA ~ MELODIES OF MY YOUTH UNIVERSAL MUSIC POLSKA 602577665387 (Barcode: 602577665387) ~ POLAND ~ Special Products Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the second album that presents music by the distinguished Polish composer Zbigniew PreisnerFind albums by this artist, which is performed by top Polish Jazz pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist (see the album "TwilightFind albums with this title"), this time also featuring the Australian vocal Diva Lisa GerrardFind albums by this artist, who often cooperates with Preisner in various projects. The album presents nine original compositions, seven composed by Preisner and two co-composed by Preisner and Gerrard. The music, as always with Preisner, is deeply lyrical and melancholic, combines multi genre elements and invokes cinematic visions. The minimalist piano / vocals format creates a deeply romantic atmosphere on one hand but also incredible tension and anticipation, which is even more emphasized by the usage of Gerrard´s "metaphysical language", which consists of nonexistent "words", which can be freely interpreted by the listener and sound like any language that is subconsciously in the listener´s head. The musical format is somewhat similar to the Classical lieder and song cycles sung in solons across Europe in the 19th Century. And yet the music itself is essentially East European, both Slavic and Jewish, wonderfully brought back to existence by Preisner´s imagination. Gerrard´s vocal parts are absolutely stunning, which is hardly surprising in view of her career. For me her ability to identify herself completely with the musical origins on this album, which are not her "natural" cultural habitat, is simply out of this world. Wania, who leaves the focus of interest to Gerrard, as appropriate for the concept, is a sublime accompanist both technically and emotionally. Although on this album he has very little opportunity to solo, his delicate interludes, intros and outros and his playing behind the vocals are all impeccable. Although more closely related to his Classical education rather than to his Jazz explorations, he fully shows his aesthetics and incredible sensitivity, which are always part of his every recording project. The great facet of Preisner´s music is always the feeling of familiarity it creates, even if this is the first time one hears it. He is always able to pull the right soul strings, which are common to all true music lovers. Overall this is a beautiful, highly unusual and yet strangely familiar music, which is universal in its directness and intrinsic splendor. Completely avoiding any labeling, this music is simply breathtakingly penetrating!

Updated: 04/11/2020Posted: 04/11/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend