Grzech Piotrowski - saxophone
Marcin Wasilewski - piano
Krzysztof Lenczowski - cello
Mateusz Smoczyński - violin
Ghostman - vocal
and others
Lech Czech i Rus Symphony
POLSKIE RADIO 2045
By Adam Baruch
This is the eighth album by Polish saxophonist/composer Grzech Piotrowski, which is his most ambitious project by far. It involves a large international instrumental ensemble he leads, called World Orchestra, a symphony orchestra (National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra a.k.a. NOSPR), National Folk Instrument Orchestra from Kiev and two choirs (Choir Pro Forma from Poland and Choir Ars Brunensis form Czech Republic), altogether a mindboggling amount of players and musical complexity, recorded live at the magnificent NOSPR concert hall in Katowice. Piotrowski deserves the highest respect just for putting this gargantuan project together and for pulling it off.
The music is a wonderful
Jazz-Classical Fusion with strong ties to Slavic folklore, which of course is
the subject matter of the entire enterprise. The legend about the three
brothers that started the Slavic Nations (Poles, Czechs and Rus') gives the
point of reference and points out that despite historic developments the Slavic
people share common ancestry and above all common Cultural values.
The Classical Music nerds would
probably debate the "symphony" part of the work's title, as the
thirteen-part composition is probably more a suite that a symphony, but overall
the scope and the scale are definitely of symphonic proportions. The melodic
motifs keep flowing one after another, arranged for many different vocal and
instrumental setups and featuring many solo parts, some of which are partly
improvised. The mood keeps changing from somber melancholic, typical Slavic
melodies to highly expressive up-tempo dance-like frenzy, keeping the listener
at his toes for the entire duration.
This album is a proof that
seemingly impossible undertakings can be realized by people of great talent and
strong will. The most important message this music emphasizes is the universal
unity of music, which freely crosses genres, languages, epochs and National
borders. This music is accessible to every person on this planet, which is a
very rare quality. Overall this album is a
wonderful journey into the Slavic Culture, full of brilliant melodies and
excellently performed by all the participants. Wholeheartedly recommended!
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