Record Reviews

MILOSZ WOSKO ~ URBAN RESIDENTS` BELIEFS REQUIEM / OPUS 2019/35 ~ POLAND ~ Classical Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by young Polish pianist / composer Milosz WoskoFind albums by this artist, one of the upcoming Polish contemporary Classical Music activists. The album presents three instrumental works: "Dawn" for strings and accordion, played by the excellent AUKSO Chamber OrchestraFind albums by this artist and accordionist Maciej FrackiewiczFind albums by this artist, "Urban Dances" a five part suite for string quartet, piano and percussion played by the Kwartet PolonikaFind albums by this artist, pianist Emilia SitarzFind albums by this artist and percussionist Hubert ZemlerFind albums by this artist and finally "Five Discussions On Difficult Topics" for brass quintet played by the Polish Brass QuintetFind albums by this artist. Although quite diverse stylistically and tonally the music of Wosko seems to have a close association to cinematic themes, which is hardly surprising considering his work as composer of film soundtracks and other audiovisual concept works. As he writes in the album´s liner notes, his music is about our day-to-day 21st Century hectic life under constant pressure of time and routine, and the possibility to find the emotions that the human race seems to be losing on its path. The music, although modern, is not Avant-Garde per se, maintaining a strong melody contents and using familiar Classical Music vocabulary. It also offers much of the typical Polish melancholy, that characterizes the works of Polish modernist Masters, and which is probably unavoidable, almost genetically implanted within all Polish music across the genres and generations. The diversity of the compositions makes this album a superb listening experience, never allowing the listener to get too comfortable within the framework of one piece and moving into another one, which requires a swift intellectual reboot. And yet all three compositions have common characteristics, even when performed by different instrumental settings, which again is hardly surprising and indicates that Wosko has already managed to achieve a voice of his own. Overall this is a splendid piece of music, highly interesting and aesthetically pleasing as well as excellently executed and recorded. This music should by highly appealing to a wide range of music connoisseurs, not necessarily only Classical Music buffs, but all quality music lovers. Congratulations are in order and wishes of good luck in the future!

Updated: 11/01/2023Posted: 26/11/2019

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