Record Reviews

LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ PIANO CONCERTO / SKETCHES FOR JAZZ TRIO & SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DUX 0387 (Barcode: 5902547003870) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 Polish pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist is undoubtedly one of his country´s most idiosyncratic musical personalities, spearheading and representing the continuous love affair between Jazz and Classical music in his country. Considering the fact that most Polish Jazz musicians are graduates of musical academic institutions, some of them with Classical as well as Jazz studies behind them, it is hardly surprising that the amalgamation of these two genres happens quite often on the Polish scene. Some Polish Jazz musicians play their interpretations of Classical compositions, most often those by the Polish pianist / composer Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist; others utilize Classical music methods, devices and techniques in their Jazz compositions; and yet others compose large scale compositions, often involving entire symphonic orchestras, like the music by Kulakowski included herein. This album includes two separate works by Kulakowski, both involving piano and a symphony orchestra: his "Piano Concerto" and the "Sketches For Jazz Trio & Symphony Orchestra". The piano concerto is performed by his brother Bogdan KulakowskiFind albums by this artist as the soloist and the sketches are performed by a piano trio, this time with the composer in the piano chair, with bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Jacek PelcFind albums by this artist. Both works are performed with the Baltic Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist in Gdansk conducted by Szymon BywalecFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live at the Baltic Philharmonic in Gdansk during the Komeda Jazz Festival. Although this is by far not the first attempt of its kind to merge Jazz and Classical music, the music on this album is quite surprising, principally as far as the attempt to create a bona fide Classical composition, especially in the case of the piano concerto, rather than a more "entertaining" mixture of the genres, which could be much more accessible to the average listener. There have been very few attempts to compose a piano concerto, soaked with Jazz undertones and yet so typically Classical in approach and structure. The obvious example of George GershwinFind albums by this artist´s "Piano Concerto in F" (and his other works) comes to mind immediately, not suggesting any direct links between these works, but as a point of reference. The composer seems certainly to be able to create a fully organic, although stylistically retrograde, piece of Classical music, which is moving and aesthetically fulfilling. The Jazz citations, chords and references will be of course more obvious to listeners with a Jazz background rather than to those with a strict Classical one, but both should be able to immensely enjoy the music. The sketches are definitely more "entertaining", with easily recognizable melody lines and fine lyrical atmosphere, lush string accompaniment and nice orchestral "outbursts" always in the right places. This is an elegant and intelligent piece of music, and although less original than the piano concerto, it has its own merits, especially the wonderful balance and integration between the trio and the orchestra, which is usually the weakest link of this type of musical encounters. The performances are quite excellent, both those by the soloists and by the orchestra. The live recording is somewhat mushy and lacking definition, but mostly well balanced, but that is a matter for fineschmeckers to deliberate upon; most listeners should be utterly satisfied with the sonic quality, on top of their admiration of the musical contents. This album is an excellent testimony as to the versatility, quality and artistic ability of the Polish Jazz scene, which has truly very little competition elsewhere. Of course it is another superb addition to the musical legacy of Leszek Kulakowski, who is surely about to take all his admirers by surprise again sometime in the near future. Kudos Maestro!

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PAWEL TOMASZEWSKI ~ COINCIDENCE FILHARMONIA SZCZECIN 025 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Pawel TomaszewskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with several leading Polish Jazz instrumentalists and the Szczecin Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Szymon BywalecFind albums by this artist. The album presents two suites, one two-parts and the other seven-parts, with the second being inspired by a film theme composed by Polish composer Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist. The quartet comprising of Tomaszewski, saxophonist Marek PodkowaFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummer Marcin JahrFind albums by this artist play on the entire album, while marimba player Bernard MaseliFind albums by this artist, vocalist Wojciech MyrczekFind albums by this artist and American guitarist Mark LattieriFind albums by this artist play on the first suite and trumpeter Jerzy MalekFind albums by this artist plays on the second suite only. The music is wonderfully melodic, full of typical Polish melancholy and lyricism, which characterizes both Polish Jazz and Polish Cinematic music at their best. The balance between the Jazz instrumental parts and the orchestral accompaniment and statements is absolutely perfect, and offers a pleasant cross-genre listening experience. All the musician are of course Masters of their relative areas, offering excellent soloing and ensemble performances. This delicate and mostly tranquil music is all about balance and harmonic cooperation, which means that there is no space for much individual statements, but rather a collective effort. Of course Tomaszewski’s piano work leads the music consistently all the way through. Overall, this is a very elegant and beautifully performed album, which offers music that is widely accessible to audiences from both Jazz and Classical Music circles. Tomaszewski is an excellent pianist and talented weaver of beautiful compositions, and all the musicians taking part in this project and the orchestra definitely fit the bill perfectly. Highly recommended!

Updated: 05/06/2023Posted: 05/06/2023

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MICHAL WROBLEWSKI ~ JAZZ I ORKIESTRA ELLITE 5903111529017 (Barcode: 5903111529017) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 Following his debut recording with his piano trio, released a year earlier, Polish Jazz pianist / composer Michal WroblewskiFind albums by this artist returns with a new and much bolder project involving a Jazz quartet playing with a symphony orchestra. The album includes eight compositions, all originals composed and arranged by Wroblewski. Seven of the compositions were recorded by a quartet comprising of Wroblewski, saxophonist Maciej ObaraFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal JarosFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist and accompanied by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice conducted by Szymon BywalecFind albums by this artist. The eighth track was recorded live at the Polish Radio Three, without Obara and with drummer Pawel DobrowolskiFind albums by this artist replacing Miskiewicz and the Gorzow (Wroblewski´s home town) Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Krzysztof SwitalskiFind albums by this artist. The amalgam of Jazz and contemporary Classical music is quite a common phenomenon on the Polish Jazz scene, definitely more so than anywhere else in the entire world. There are many reasons contributing to this reality: the classical music education that many young musicians are exposed to during their studies, the openness of classical orchestras and their conductors to cooperate with Jazz musicians, the "higher" status of Classical music, which challenges Jazz musician to prove they can embrace the format and improve their standing in the music community and many others. Regardless of the motivation behind them, such projects are very popular and often result in excellent achievements. This particular project presents the "easier" side of the Jazz-Classical Fusion, with a series of beautifully melodic pieces, excellently performed by the quartet and with the orchestra staying mostly in the background, playing the "second fiddle" (pun intended). One can speculate that this music would have sounded great without the orchestra being present; therefore the role of the orchestration seems a priori to be relatively limited. This is not to say that the overall result suffers from the orchestral arrangements, but on the other hand their contribution remains relatively restricted with little synthesis between the two elements, except perhaps for the last piece on the album, which is the most successful on that front. The individual contributions by the players are all splendid, especially those by Obara, who exhibits a truly magical touch and heartbreakingly beautiful, soulful sound of his alto saxophone. Wroblewski plays also very well, with a both elegant, delicate solos and lively up tempo arpeggios, but concentrating mostly on stating the melodies. The rhythm section drives the music steadily and provides the basis, which holds the music together. Overall the album is great fun to listen to and is accessible to a large audience, including music lovers with little Jazz familiarity or those listening mostly to Classical music.

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