Tracklist 7 tracks
- Mikołaj Majkusiak – up2U
- Piotr Wróbel – Suita 3-5-7
- Krzysztof Lenczowski Atom Accordion Quintet
- I. Walc
- II. Moderato
- III. Adagio
- IV. Final
- Nikola Kołodziejczyk – Subliminal Folk Suite
- I. Odsibka
- II. Fajrant
- III. Zawijas
About the album
A marriage of string quartet and accordion, and a meeting of folk, classical, contemporary and jazz...
The project was initiated and conceived by the accordionist Rafał Grząka. The idea behind the album was to prove to a wider audience that music composed today can be enjoyable and comprehensible not only to seasoned connoisseurs. The marriage of string quartet and accordion, and the integration of currents such as folk, classical, contemporary and jazz, are the defining features of this record.
The album opens with up2U by Mikołaj Majkusiak. The composer knows the sound possibilities of the accordion inside out and complements them with the string quartet — not without the virtuoso figurations, irregular metres and tense harmonies so characteristic of his writing.
Second comes Suita 3–5–7 by Piotr Wróbel, built on stylised triple-time dances arranged in sequence: from the sentimental kujawiak, through the proud mazur, which deftly turns into a mazurka, to the fiery, highly energetic oberek. Between the dances stand interludes that bring elements of contemporary music into the suite.
Next is Atom Accordion Quintet by Krzysztof Lenczowski — a highly atmospheric piece whose character recalls French music and film music, and which works powerfully on the listener's imagination.
The album closes with Nikola Kołodziejczyk's Subliminal Folk Suite. Its tense narrative rests largely on the accordion, treated here as a solo instrument. Over innovative rhythms and jazz harmony the composer unfolds themes that draw on Polish folk music.