Leszek Kułakowski - piano
Mikael Godee - soprano saxophone
Piotr Kułakowski - double bass
Tomasz Sowiński - drums
Ebba Westerberg - percussion
Chopin Impressions
SOLITON 768
By Adam Baruch
This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader / educator Leszek Kułakowski, recorded in a quintet setting with Polish rhythm section: bassist Piotr Kułakowski (Leszek's son), drummer Tomasz Sowiński with Swedish saxophonist Mikael Godee and percussionist Ebba Westerberg. Together they perform eight compositions by the Polish Classical composer Frederic Chopin, arranged for a Jazz quintet by Kułakowski and Godee, each contributing four arrangements.
Over the years Chopin inspired
Polish Jazz musicians very often and the number of Jazz albums based on Chopin's
music is truly abundant. Kułakowski visited Chopin's music several times throughout
his recording career, but obviously his fascination with the essence of Polish
music, which Chopin represents more than any other Polish composer, refuses to
let go.
This album presents a more
gentle and reflective approach to Chopin's music than Kułakowski's earlier
recordings. The intrinsic melancholy dominates the proceedings and the
minimalistic and delicate touches of the keyboard are the most essential and enjoyable
moments this music offers. The saxophone parts are mostly straightforward leaving
the centre stage as far as improvisation is concerned to the piano. The soprano
saxophone sounds a bit like flute at times. The rhythm section does a beautiful
job filling the blanks and keeping the pulse of the music clear and steady. The
percussion parts are mostly decorative and are typically heard on the up-tempo
pieces.
Overall this is a fine album,
which should make the many connoisseurs of Jazzed up version of Chopin's music
very happy, especially since it includes some of the most well known pieces
composed by Chopin. It is made with obvious love of the subject matter and
profound dedication and is a true joy to listen to.
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