Latest outcome from Adam Bałdych, incredibly talented and versatile Polish violinist is titled Bridges and it holds to some more complex symbolism.
It is worth to note that he is only 29, which many would fail to guess without knowing and purely judging on sound. As a prodigy child he finished his classical study in the age of 16 as a youngest graduate ever, and he only picked up violin in the age of 9, which is pretty late for anyone considering solo carrier.
Well. Back to the subject. First of all this project is very different from previous duo with pianist Yaron Herman, mostly due to he is such a different personality to Helge Lien. Norwegian pianist has completely different approach to melody. His background roots in Scandinavian folk. So it matches Adam’s temper and his Polish soul in more natural way.
Furthermore, when The New Tradition was an inter cultural dialogue, Bridges instead is all about connection between Soul mates. That gave Bałdych new ability to express his composition more via piano and violin sound universe, followed by carefully listening rhythm section, than fly solo over the trio.
Purely anchored in European Romantic classical music tradition and further influenced by modern Jazz trios, like Mehldau’s or Svensson’s alike it suits violinist’s Slavonic soul very well. With folk music always present in Chopin’s or Debussy compositions, here they build a bridge, one of many. Between Classical and Folk Universe, between Scandinavian and Polish Folks.
Like in pieces Polesie or Karina. Both musicians are simply immersed in sound. Due to the balance between the strings, carefully controlled dynamic it simply is the master class. In addition use of silence in space and Bałdych’s articulation is stunning. As a result the way he plays is nothing but hypnotic. Those who remember Zbigniew Seifert would be able to find how much he learnt from a heritage of prematurely deceased legendary master.
The music is simply sparkling here. Just like a dew in the morning light. Listening to this reminds me the joy of the children’s discoveries in a marvellous garden. It does not happen too often to find music so fresh and involving. But again this delight comes of their joy of playing together. Ability to build the… bridge between performer and listener. Whatever they come with is stunning you with the beauty of the fragile balance and incredible power in the same time.
To challenge you let’s jump to the closing title: Teardrop. This one is far from folk influence as it came from the Massive Attack play-list. Consequently then, here violinist takes original vocal lines and converts its melody to the riff. That one drives the piece, underlined with piano holding harmony and drums putting groove under entire music tissue.
Simply marvellous. And as such, hugely recommended.