Record Reviews

MARIA POMIANOWSKA / MINGJIE YU ~ AMBER & SILK PROJECT: SUKA MEETS ZHENG SOLITON 1323 (Barcode: 5903684233236) ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by two representatives of seemingly remote cultural worlds: Polish multi-instrumentalist / composer / educator / scholar and de facto the Wonder Women of the Polish World Music scene Maria PomianowskaFind albums by this artist and Chinese musician / composer / educator Mingjie YuFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, which include traditional Polish and Chinese melodies as well as four original compositions by Pomianowska. Pomianowska plays on the instrument known as Bilgoraj suka, a vertically played fiddle (or knee fiddle), close in sound to violin, which was part of the Polish musical tradition for centuries and almost forgotten in time, and now thanks to her dedication, brought back to “active duty” with great success. Yu plays the guzheng (or zheng), a traditional Chinese plucked zither, which is again a part of Chinese musical tradition since centuries and still played extensively these days in China. The music these two talented Women create together is stunningly beautiful and the minimalism of just two instruments makes the music even more powerful and penetrating. The differences between the two cultures separated by a distance of thousands of kilometers and millennia of history, blend together completely seamlessly, proving yet again that music is the true human universal language, free of the barriers set by languages and communicating directly heart-to-heart. Overall, this is a highly stimulating and aesthetically uplifting musical experience, which goes beyond the meeting of two musical Cultures, but manages to create a new musical identity, which is completely universal. Although I am familiar with many recordings made by Maria Pomianowska, all of which are exemplary, this one strikes me particularly as one of her most far-reaching explorations. My deep thanks to you Dear Ladies, for creating a cross-Cultural bridge of exquisite beauty!

Updated: 11/06/2023Posted: 11/06/2023

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