DOMINIK WANIA - Lonely Shadows
ECM 086 9583
Dominik Wania (piano)
Recorded November 2019
Wania will be familiar to followers of ECM through his contribution to the acclaimed recordings Unloved and Three Crowns by the quartet led by Polish altoist, Maciej Obara. Indeed, in my review of Unloved I made the observation that the saxophonist may be in danger of losing his trio as a separate unit in their own right. A little short of the mark with this observation, Manfred Eicher did however have the pianist in his sights for a recording of his own. The resulting talks decided that a solo piano album would be appropriate, and Wania took the leap of faith and entered the studio in November of last year to document his first solo recording for the label.
In a bold move, Wania decided that nothing should be prepared in advance and that the music would be fully improvised on the day. Listening now to Lonely Shadows, the decision is fully justified in album that is a pure joy, and over a playing time of forty eight minutes tells us much about the pianist. Working, as he says, in the "here and now" was obviously inspiring for Wania as he spins out some delightful improvisations. He balances the discipline of his classical studies with his intuitive sense as an improviser, and lets the music speak. His sensitivity of touch and harmonic awareness combine to bring out the best in the piano he was to choose to play for the recording.
Throughout the programme, Wania keeps the mood ever changing. From reflective and introspective pieces such as the title track and 'AG76', which is named after a painting by Polish artist Zdzisław Beksiński, to more forcefully stated and abstract improvisations as heard on 'Subjective Objectivity', 'Relativity' and 'Indifferent Attitude'. He exhibits a lyrical playfulness reminiscent of some of Chick Corea's solo recording for ECM on 'New Life Experience' and 'Liquid Fluid' that lift the set to another plane.
The pianist exhibits a sense of calm that permeates the music. Even at its most turbulent Wania's grasp of the music guides the improvisations a steady course, and that is part of the joy in hearing the pieces come to life. Organically evolving from the opening statements, there is never the impression that the music is allowed to simply run, but is guided unerringly by Wania's overriding sense of melody and internal form that gives these spontaneously created compositions a life of their own.
An auspicious debut album that bears repeated listening, each time revealing new delights.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 086 9583
Dominik Wania (piano)
Recorded November 2019
Wania will be familiar to followers of ECM through his contribution to the acclaimed recordings Unloved and Three Crowns by the quartet led by Polish altoist, Maciej Obara. Indeed, in my review of Unloved I made the observation that the saxophonist may be in danger of losing his trio as a separate unit in their own right. A little short of the mark with this observation, Manfred Eicher did however have the pianist in his sights for a recording of his own. The resulting talks decided that a solo piano album would be appropriate, and Wania took the leap of faith and entered the studio in November of last year to document his first solo recording for the label.
In a bold move, Wania decided that nothing should be prepared in advance and that the music would be fully improvised on the day. Listening now to Lonely Shadows, the decision is fully justified in album that is a pure joy, and over a playing time of forty eight minutes tells us much about the pianist. Working, as he says, in the "here and now" was obviously inspiring for Wania as he spins out some delightful improvisations. He balances the discipline of his classical studies with his intuitive sense as an improviser, and lets the music speak. His sensitivity of touch and harmonic awareness combine to bring out the best in the piano he was to choose to play for the recording.
Throughout the programme, Wania keeps the mood ever changing. From reflective and introspective pieces such as the title track and 'AG76', which is named after a painting by Polish artist Zdzisław Beksiński, to more forcefully stated and abstract improvisations as heard on 'Subjective Objectivity', 'Relativity' and 'Indifferent Attitude'. He exhibits a lyrical playfulness reminiscent of some of Chick Corea's solo recording for ECM on 'New Life Experience' and 'Liquid Fluid' that lift the set to another plane.
The pianist exhibits a sense of calm that permeates the music. Even at its most turbulent Wania's grasp of the music guides the improvisations a steady course, and that is part of the joy in hearing the pieces come to life. Organically evolving from the opening statements, there is never the impression that the music is allowed to simply run, but is guided unerringly by Wania's overriding sense of melody and internal form that gives these spontaneously created compositions a life of their own.
An auspicious debut album that bears repeated listening, each time revealing new delights.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
