Record Reviews

MATEUSZ SMOCZYNSKI ~ FALLEN ANGEL WARNER MUSIC POLAND ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is an album by Polish violinist / composer Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist and the Polish Radio OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Michal KlauzyFind albums by this artist. It is the 2nd symphonic music album by Smoczynski, following his album “Adam`s AppleFind albums with this title” released in 2024. It presents an eight-part concerto for violin, piano and symphonic orchestra. A bonus track with an alternate version of one of the parts is also included. The playing time of the album is only slightly above half an hour. Smoczynski’s involvement with Classical Music is of course not surprising, and was a part of his education and recording career since the very beginning. The last two albums reflect more dramatically his facet as a classical composer, but probably (and hopefully) are not a sign of abandonment of his splendid Jazz activities. The music is, not surprisingly, absolutely delightful, full of beautiful melodic themes, dramatic developments and virtuosic deliveries by both Smoczynski and Wania, which are most prominent during the two solo cadenzas. Stylistically the music is inspired by different influences, including 20th Century modernism, but is also richly encrusted with Polish lyricism and melancholy, despite its intense character. It is definitely the least Jazz oriented recording to date by Smoczynski, but his many followers and connoisseurs of his music should find it enthralling, as all his earlier work. Overall, this is another bold statement by one of Poland’s most talented and fascinating personalities, who arrived on the scene almost two decades ago and managed to take part in recording of almost fifty albums as sideman, co-leader and leader, a remarkable achievement indeed. As usual, I can’t wait to hear the next one! Side Note: This album was not released on CD (digital / vinyl only) and I received from the record label a shabby CD-R in a carton sleeve (a “critic’s edition” ;). I wonder when music connoisseurs are going to realize the scam of the “vinyl revival”, which allows record labels to rip-off music lovers by charging two / three times more money for an inferior quality / outdated technology / self-destructing product, based on a fad / craze / obsession, which is not only ridiculous, but also badly damaging the Art of music.

Updated: 28/01/2026Posted: 28/01/2026

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