Drawing us in with an immersive piano performance with a meditative energy, intertwined with bold riffs reminiscent of 90s trip-hop fused with classical motifs, Marcin Sanakiewicz opens his album, Unfolked Piano. Some Polish Themes with a track called Across My Garth.
We appreciate the intricacy of the performance and the syncopated dimensionality that keeps us enthralled throughout. Whilst there is no specific piano genre at play here, we experience jazz notions, classical timelessness and contemporary details fused into one dynamic experience.
We learn that “garth” is an old word for an enclosed garden or yard. Marcin shares how it intentionally “gives the piece its quiet, pastoral character: unhurried, spacious, the sound of a private green world observed slowly.” He adds how the melody is based on the traditional Polish motif „W moim ogródecku”, which holds the same principle as all twelve songs on the album.
Next up is Rosemary’s Tune which opens with brooding riffs evoking a high dramatic quotient. There is definite cinematic intrigue here, and we could imagine this as the score of a movie like Limitless or Lucy. The melodic repeating phrases are hypnotic, whilst there appears to also emanate a 90s subversion and almost synthwave mindset albeit through a more organic piano style.
This leads us to Caroline-Gogoline which opens with the dramatic glissando flair of rolling keys. This track certainly holds a cinematic allure, perfect for the score of a 90s psychological thriller like Hush.
Apple in Red taps into a more Latin jazz sentimentality with bass arpeggios intertwined with percussive staccato motifs, dramatic bass notes and captivating astral melodies. This reminds us of the score to a Pedro Almodovar production.
Next is Little Lime which holds a meditative allure; peaceful and melancholic, inviting introspection and showcasing the more classical training that Marcin Sanakiewicz has to offer. The emotional quotient is high and the celestial keys that emerge bring to life Marcin’s intricacy as a performer.
This brings us to Cracow Guy which serves as the most subversive composition on the album so far. The keys are performed with a dramatic descent, whilst a rhythmic pulse taps into our heart’s centre. This would be a great addition to the score of a TV show like MobLand. The emotional intricacy from the high keys is sublime and the range of the piano utilised and the switch-up to a more upbeat energy is genius, as is the build towards drama and almost fairground style experience.
Page of the King is an intriguing composition inviting introspection, and also serves as the shortest track on the record, although certainly showcases Marcin’s incredible skill as a pianist. Brickin’ Cellar is haunting and cerebral at first, evoking a more emotional energy as it builds with captivating tempo shifts and a high octane performance that is frankly mind-blowing.
Next is Pair of Hearts which opens poetically with notions of a heartbeat. The rippling motifs are welcome and serene, there is an undeniable romanticism that comes to life with how the piano intertwines. Cuckoo Song serves as an ode to nature and the charm feels like a scene from a cartoon. It’s dynamic and playful like a scene from Roadrunner!
Hey, Hops opens with a melancholic energy, with repeating notions and a brooding timbre before expanding with an almost operatic presence. After decades spent arranging and accompanying other artists, Marcin Sanakiewicz shows us how he is stepping into the spotlight with his incredible skillset and a collection that reimagines these iconic Polish folk melodies.
The final track is Rushin’ Brook which opens with a rippling cosmic energy and rising pizzicato details. This feels like a scene from a Disney film, it is refined and graceful whilst showing us the deep and raw authentic emotion that Marcin has laced throughout the album as a whole.
There is no doubt that fans of Hania Rani, Nils Frahm, Lubomyr Melnyk, Tigran Hamasyan, and Aleksander Dębicz will be able to connect with Unfolked Piano. Some Polish Themes, although there is no doubt that Marcin Sanakiewicz is manifesting a universe unto his own design, deeply rooted in his own culture.
We have added Across My Garth to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we anticipate future releases from Marcin Sanakiewicz!