Record Reviews

ANDRZEJ JAGODZINSKI ~ REQUIEM POLSKIE RADIO KATOWICE 142 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 The great Polish Jazz pianist / composer Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist has been a pillar of the local Jazz scene since the early 1990s, with an impressive recording legacy, which includes some of Polish Jazz classic albums, both as a leader and sideman / accompanist. His musical style is firmly based in the Jazz mainstream, but he also flirts passionately with the Jazz-Classical Fusion idiom. His groundbreaking 1993 album “ChopinFind albums with this title” established the Polish Jazz tradition of interpreting the music of the Polish National composer Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist, which is still quite popular thirty years later, sadly largely abused and misunderstood by now. The music on this album perfectly depicts the marriage between Jazz and Classical / Sacred music. It incorporates the classic Jazz piano trio, which is Jagodzinski’s modus operandi in the last three decades, with bassist Adam CegielskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, with a mixed choir Camerata SilesiaFind albums by this artist, directed by Anna SzostakFind albums by this artist and three renowned Polish Jazz vocalists: Grazyna AuguscikFind albums by this artist, Agnieszka WilczynskaFind albums by this artist and Wojciech MyrczekFind albums by this artist. The six-part Requiem is loosely based on the traditional Requiem structure and form, but obviously includes strong Jazz elements, as expressed by the trio improvisations and the vocalese parts by the three vocalists, with the choir providing the traditional sacred oriented parts. It is extremely difficult to balance the Classical and Jazz elements within one musical piece, which often leads straight into the kitsch pit. But in this case Jagodzinski and the wonderful performers manage to create a coherent, elegant and harmonious unification, which makes perfect sense musically and aesthetically, with a truly moving effect. As a result, the music is universally appealing to a wide range of music lovers, from both idioms. Overall, this is a beautiful example of cross-genre exploration, which as a result of the talent and experience of its creator and his team emerges as a sublime piece of music, which preserves both traditions and finds a peaceful coexistence, where the result is bigger than just the sum of its parts. Jagodzinski does not disappoint, and his “magic touch” is felt in every note, every nuance and every melodic theme on this album. As usual, I simply raise my hat to you Maestro, and wait for the next time I can hear you performing live, which is always a transcending experience.

Updated: 02/12/2022Posted: 02/12/2022

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SABINA MECK ~ TESKNI DZIOUCHA DO SYNECZKA: SONGS OF THE SILESIAN UPRISINGS CAMERATA SILESIA 02 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2025 This is the 4th album by Polish Jazz singer / songwriter Sabina MeckFind albums by this artist. She is accompanied by pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Patryk PeterssonFind albums by this artist and percussionist Patryk ZakrzewskiFind albums by this artist and the Katowice City Singers’ Ensemble Camerata SilesiaFind albums by this artist, conducted by Anna SzostakFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, eleven of which are folk songs and two are original songs written by Meck especially for the album. Meck also arranged all the music. The album is a commendable memorial to the dramatic events in the history of Silesia between the two Great Wars, where Silesia was divided between Poland and Germany, and the Silesian People went through an internal cultural / national dichotomy. Three uprisings (1919-1921) by Polish Silesians, who wanted their land to be annexed to Poland, which they considered to be their homeland, were brutally put down by the German army. Silesia was reunited only after the WW II, in 1945, when it became a part of Poland. Since I was born in Silesia, the memory of these uprisings was always present as part of my childhood, but strangely and sadly this part of Polish history is almost completely absent in contemporary Polish historical / cultural landscape. Needless to say I am familiar with these songs in their original versions, and I am deeply grateful to see this album created. The album brings songs, which are now about a hundred years old, to a more contemporary environment, with just a little touch of Jazz and modern choral music, emphasizing their natural beauty and everlasting values. The instrumental arrangements are delicate and non-intrusive, but perfectly fit the atmosphere and expand the music, bringing it forward to current milieu. The vocal performances, both by the vocal ensemble, the soloists and Meck herself, are all impeccable and truly heartfelt. The arrangements skillfully make proper openings for all the elements, which fit together perfectly. This is definitely a very skillfully put together project, which emphasizes Meck’s maturity and talent. Overall, this is a very unique album, which demands attentive listening and open-mindedness, as it presents seemingly simple Folk songs with a considerable depth and complexity, which creates a moving piece of music, far beyond initial expectations. Well done, everybody!

Updated: 16/05/2025Posted: 16/05/2025

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