My Life Preisner’s Music

Throughout Zbigniew Preisner' illustrious musical career, his work is characterized by numerous elements, of which solo musicians such as a pianist remain an essential part, displaying the composer's signatures and trademarks. Dominik Wania first collaboration with Preisner began with the 2015 album - W poszukiwaniu dróg. Nowe i stare kolędy (Searching for new ways, New and old carols), and is impending. In 2019, the solo piano album Twilight gave Wania, without the need for much improvisation, the chance to shine on a album that excelled in establishing a deeply personal document for the composer.

My Life Preisner’s Music (2025) is a live recording from a concert held in November 2024 in Bielsko-Biała. The recording is a testament of Wania using various techniques, expressive reshaping, a strong personal touch, and a level of improvisation to offer new and refreshing perspectives of Preisner' music, naked at display and unmistakably brilliant. In comparison to the Jeroen van Veen – Preisner: Piano Music release, it is similar in approach, but whereas both are absolutely brilliant in their performances, Wania does add a personal touch and strong connection that van Veen omits.

The program of the concert recording consists of predictable choices, while presenting new takes on previously (un)released works. Several pieces more closely follow its original composition and recording (Les Marionettes), while Dekalog - Nymphea is the best example of how Wania deconstructs the original music brilliantly. Also, noteworthy is how Wania treats compositions originally performed with Preisner' previous regular pianist Leszek Możdżer, such as Aberdeen. As with virtually all other selections, it is miraculous in its subdued, deeply emotional new and soft expressive shapes that add and change the meaning of the music, while remaining faithful to the original.

However, there is the issue of how well a single piece, 'deprived' of all elements, translates, losing arguably too much of its original musical DNA. It is slightly evident in the not fully convincing piano-only treatment of Lacromisa (Requiem for a Friend).

As an album, My Life Preisner’s Music does, in all aspects, precedes expectations. There is such a great level of detail, emotion, and a well-balanced presentation, with a degree of experimenting, to more closely following the DNA and a level of intimacy, that best represents Preisner's work through Dominik Wania's efforts.

The album is out now on CD and vinyl.





Tracklist
A1: Dekalog - Nymphea 7:11
A2: The Secret Garden Suite 9:56
A3: Mouvements Du Desir- L'amour 3:53
B1: Forgotten We'll Be - Letter From The Father 3:29
B2: Damage 5:18
B3: When A Man Loves A Woman - Homecoming 2:06
B4: Aberdeen 3:05
B5: The Double Life Of Veronique - Van Den Budenmayer Concerto En Mi Mineur 5:08
C1: Twilight- Transient 6:55
C2: The Funeral- The Waltz 2:41
C3: The Double Life Of Veronique - Les Marionnettes 2:38
C4: Eminent Domain 3:46
C5: Lost And Love 3:31
D1: Queen Of Spain - End Credits 3:14
D2: Three Colours Blue- Song For The Unification Of Europe 6:00
D3: Requiem For My Friend - Lacrimosa 5:02
D4: Love Song 1980 4:02





(16-05-2025)