Record Reviews

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ STANISLAW MONIUSZKO: Z DOMOWEGO SPIEWNIKA REQUIEM / LYDIAN 2020/13 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is one of many albums recorded by Polish Jazz artists as part of the birthday bicentenary celebrations of the Polish Classical composer Stanislaw MoniuszkoFind albums by this artist (1819-1872). This album presents Jazzed up arrangements of eight songs taken from his "Home Songs" collections, performed by mezzo-soprano operatic singer Aleksandra OpalaFind albums by this artist, pianist Piotr MatusikFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Marcin ZupanskiFind albums by this artist and accordionist Wojciech GolecFind albums by this artist. The approach is quite original, and offers a direct contrast between the Classic songs performed by Opala and the improvised / Jazzy parts by the three instrumentalists, which harmonize beautifully, even when they "clash" stylistically when the instrumental parts are almost Free Jazz oriented. As a result this is definitely one of the most interesting Moniuszko related Polish Jazz projects the "Moniuszko year" produced. As magnificent and interesting as the Polish Jazz scene is, easily topping the European scene in the last two decades or so, it suffers from local "obsession" when dealing with its National Musical heritage. A huge part of Polish Jazz recordings is related either to Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist (the Godfather of Polish Jazz) or Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist (the National composer), and lately Moniuszko – all totally out of proportion and in complete contrast to the need to respectfully leave the past behind and look ahead. Of course such projects find support more easily from the Ministry of Culture and other financial support bodies, but such opportunism should be kept at bay as much as possible. Having said all that, this project is definitely "forgiven" for riding on the Moniuszko wave, due to its originality and overall splendid music it offers and for being quite different from most Jazz-Classical Fusion offerings the world over. Personally I enjoyed this music immensely, as weird as it sound at first – well done Lady and Gentlemen!

Updated: 15/07/2021Posted: 04/01/2021

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