Record Reviews

WLADYSLAW SENDECKI / ATOM STRING QUARTET ~ LE JARDIN OUBLIE / MY POLISH HEART NEU KLANG 4198 (Barcode: 4012116419832) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by the Polish (resident in Germany) pianist / composer Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by the highly esteemed Polish Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist (violinists Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist and Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist, violist Michal ZaborskiFind albums by this artist and cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist). The album presents ten compositions, five of which are original composition by Sendecki, two were composed by his brother Stefan SendeckiFind albums by this artist, one was composed by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, another one by Polish Classical composer Karol SzymanowskiFind albums by this artist and finally one was composed by the German composer Wolf KerschekFind albums by this artist. Three of the compositions were arranged by the great British composer / arranger Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist. The music focuses on relatively little known facet of Sendecki´s activity and is mostly dedicated to contemporary Classical music, with relatively limited Jazz references. The piano / string quartet setting suits this musical direction ideally of course and the chamber atmosphere prevails throughout. The piano concerto "My Polish Heart" was composed especially by Kerschek for Sendecki and was performed by him with the NDR Big Band, of which he is the resident pianist. The intimate version of this wonderful piece present here includes only part of the entire composition, but reflects the spirit of the work perfectly. All the pieces on the album are full of the characteristic Polish melancholy and lyricism, which can be found in all Polish music regardless of the genre: Classical, Jazz, Rock or Folklore. The most Jazz oriented piece on the album is of course the "Komeda Hommage", which is a medley of two Komeda´s compositions, brilliantly combining the Jazz and Classical idioms thanks to the unique arrangement by Sendecki and the Atoms and taking a form of a beautiful suite. This album requires very serious listening with attention to details and patience, as it offers a wealth of musical thrills in every aspect. The compositions, arrangements and performances are all loaded with deeply emotional content and are full of virtuosic performances, which are very difficult to be absorbed all at once. Each listening experience promises new discoveries of course. Overall this is a wonderful album full of great music, which offers a Jazz-Classical Fusion of the highest caliber. Lovers of Polish music, regardless of style and fashion, should be delighted by what this album has to offer.

Updated: 11/11/2018Posted: 11/11/2018

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WDR BIG BAND ~ COBURGER BIGBAND 1002 (Barcode: 4250459910023) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2010 This is a wonderful album by the German NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist, one of Europe’s best Jazz Big Bands since many decades. The Big Band, conducted by Wolf KerschekFind albums by this artist, who also arranged all the music, includes some of the most impressive European Jazz soloists in its constantly changing lineup, for example my dear Friend, Polish keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, all composed by the orchestra’s member, saxophonist Gabriel CoburgerFind albums by this artist (hence the title). Six of the tracks, all around ten minutes in duration, are the main program and two additional tracks are radio edits of two of the six tracks. The music is absolutely brilliant and often quite challenging, with frequent tempo changes and extended soli, which frequently border of Free Jazz, on top of extensive melodic themes. It is a superb example of Modern European Jazz, and specifically Modern European Big Band music, which is based on complex arrangements and high level of improvisational skills by the Band’s members. The album is a quintessential example of the European Big Band Jazz, which offers the concept of group improvisation and high level of cooperative performance, which turns the Big Band into a unified performing body, rather that the American model of sections and soloist. It is quite normal to have several soloists or even the entire Big Band becoming a group of improvisers performing coherently together. Overall, despite the intellectual effort required to embrace the seemingly chaotic development at times, the music is highly rewarding and insanely clever, as well as aesthetically impeccable. For lovers of Modern Big Band Jazz, this is an instant classic, which deserves an honorable place in a serious record collection.

Updated: 14/07/2026Posted: 14/07/2026

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