Surrendering to Dreams: A Chat with Aleksander Dębicz
We had the opportunity to catch up with Polish piano virtuoso and composer extraordinaire Aleksander Dębicz on a beautiful summer day right before the release of his newest album ‘12 Dreams for Piano’.
Aleksander Dębicz, the Polish pianist, composer, arranger, and co-artistic director of the Break in Classic Festival, is one of the most versatile and innovative artists on the Polish music scene today. He is the creator and performer of an original style he himself describes as cinematic classical – a movement that combines the language of classical music with the narrative nature of film music and the space of improvisation. He pioneered this style on his debut album, Cinematic Piano (2015, Warner Classics), and has consistently developed it in subsequent releases, compositions, and concert projects.
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I think every artist’s style is a product of their experiences and fascinations. I’m open to different musical styles; I like to explore various genres, including those that seem far removed from my interests. Musical fusions come very naturally to me; it’s something that characterises my work. I call it ‘cinematic classical’ – music whose mood and logic resemble a cinematic narrative. It’s a style that lends itself very well to blending with other genres, such as world music or pop.
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Aleksander Dębicz in conversation with Filip Lech
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Aleksander Dębicz, photo: Michał Sierakowski / courtesy of the artist
When asked to describe his newest album 12 Dreams for Piano in three words, with a coy grin he answered:
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Dreamy, romantic and mysterious.
Inspired by dreams, pieces on the newest album are rooted in Dębicz’s clearly defined cinematic classical style, while simultaneously drawing on the tradition of the classical piano cycle. In 12 Dreams for Piano Dębicz immerses himself in the poetics of dream – an impulse that spontaneously captivated him and inspired the creation of a new solo album. A dream, or perhaps a reverie? Nothing here is unambiguous, as in many nocturnal stories. A dream becomes a form in itself - sometimes simple, sometimes strange, governed by its own oneiric logic. This is undoubtedly the most mysterious and romantic project in the pianist’s body of work.
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I consider this my most personal album, to be honest. Because it’s the result of my state of mind. Actually, I’ve never composed music like this before. I don’t remember the details of the emotions [behind it], but they definitely influenced the way I composed [the album].
During the creation of 12 Dreams, Dębicz began collaborating with the artist WEARYMARY and felt an immediate connection through the way dreams play a vital role in her artistic world. Together, they created the song REM – a distinct, self-contained dream story within the universe of the record.
The artist is not certain whether dreams should be interpreted. Sometimes, however, it is worth surrendering to them - and allowing them to become a source of inspiration.
Watch our full conversation here:
Adapted by NR from promotional materials and a conversation with the musician