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A Piano Saga
by
Kenny Jaworski
Visit Kenny's website
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Kenny Jaworski’s debut album, “A Piano Saga,” was
recorded live in concert in April 2005 on a 9’ Steinway concert
grand, and that’s about the only thing about this album that
isn’t mind-blowing. The twenty-seven-year-old St. Louis pianist
is not only opening new doors in piano music - he’s blasting
them open! As he told me in an introductory email, his music “isn’t
new age, but it’s new.” It is impossible to classify this
music because it’s so different, but Jaworski seems to be getting
the most notice from the classical camps, at least initially. There
are abstract, free-form jazz elements as well, but Jaworski tells me
that very little of this music is improvised. Passionate, intense,
and sometimes kind of wild, I certainly haven’t heard any other
pianists performing this kind of music. It can take some getting used
to, but I hear something new each time, and I’ve probably listened
to this CD at least a dozen times. Jaworski is mostly self-taught,
and I’d say he is quite an amazing teacher! His flying fingers
are jaw-dropping, and Jaworksi’s musical message is unique. I’m
very excited about getting to know this artist at an early point in
his career!
The first three tracks are among my favorites. The opening track, “The
First One,” is rhythmic and intense, and gives a strong indication of what’s
to come. At just over a minute, this is a prelude of sorts. “It Begins
Again” continues the intensity, but is more developed. Jaworski’s
hands fly all over the piano keyboard with sometimes dancing notes and sometimes
crashing octaves; I really like the main theme of this piece. “The Mystique
Factor” is my favorite piece on the CD. Rhythmic and energetic, it also
seems to contain an element of humor. I love the mysterious passages in the deep
bass and the way the piece just sort of drifts off at the end. “Dimensions” is
bright and sparkling, and has several themes that develop over the course of
the piece - some very fast and crisp and others a little quieter. “Ballerina’s
Blues” is about a dancer who has to quit because of an injury. Some of
this piece has a grace about it, and you get a sense of a ballerina on her toes,
dancing across the stage, but there is also the anger and frustration with the
injury. It’s a fascinating piece! “Games People Play” is one
of the more subdued pieces, but it is also very intense. Beginning in a more
relaxed style, Jaworski just sort of wanders around the piano keyboard, setting
the tone. The pace quickens, but the piece remains light and dancing. As the
piece develops, it becomes more agitated and powerful to a peak, and then softens
a bit to a gentle and compelling resolve. As the title implies, “Grace” is
a bit quieter and more reflective. “House of Doubt” is another favorite.
Very dark and brooding, Jaworski seems to be working through his demons here,
giving us some insight into a very personal realm that most of us can identify
with - a very impressive piece!
As you can probably tell, “A Piano Saga” is not music intended for
massage or meditation. It is, however, cutting edge and dramatically original.
If you are looking for an adventure in new piano music, Kenny Jaworski is your
man! The CD also comes with a DVD of Jaworski’s performance of four of
the pieces at the concert where the recording was made. This addition gives fascinating
insight into the music and the artist
Reviewed
by Kathy Parsons reprinted from Mainly
Piano on
Ambient Visions
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