News 2014

Vancouver Concert March 14, 2014

Several days after the Atom String Quartet concert in Vancouver, the music, with its depth of emotion and captivating range of sounds, is still resonating in all who attended this unique event. Within the first few minutes of the performance, we knew we were about to be part of something special.

The performance in the packed Evergreen Theater opened with Fugato & Allegrina by Krzysztof Lenczowski and Mateusz Smoczyński. A catchy theme, great solos by each musician, and a passionate interpretation, won over the audience instantly. The first round of applause was the loudest and most spontaneous the organizers (PCJS) experienced in their five years history.

The two acoustic sets took the listeners on a dynamic ride through high voltage passages, quiet flageolets, expressive glissandos and percussive effects. The audience showed great appreciation for this range of expressions, equally savouring the energetic solos and slow passages balancing on the boundaries of audible sound.

All four members of ASQ are composers. The audience was treated to original pieces composed by each musician, in addition to well-known standards by Krzysztof Komeda, Chick Corea and Victor Young. The diverse repertoire was only one of the many factors that contributed to this successful event: The personal charm and sense of humour of each individual player are likewise memorable.

Atom String Quartet, comprising of violinists Mateusz Smoczynski and Dawid Lubowicz, violist Michal Zaborski and cellist Krzysztof Lenczowski, is the first group on the Polish jazz scene that combines classical chamber music and jazz improvisation. All four musicians are graduates of Warsaw’s Academy of Music; their classical training can be heard in their virtuosic approach, phrasing and technique.

The music of ASQ contains elements of classical compositions, jazz tradition, and folklore from around the world, made rich with layers of acoustic effects and dramatic percussion created with string instruments.

The listeners were on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The performance finished with a spirited standing ovation and two encores. Ending the evening, quiet notes of ‘Zakopane’ will stay with us.

We wish the band great success and we hope to see them again. For now we have their music and great memories, for which we are grateful.

For PCJS – Wiktor and Maya Chorobik

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