NOT I is performed by Klangforum Wien, under the direction of Clement Power, with Agata Zubel herself performing the vocals. The record encompasses pieces based on the poetry of Wisława Szymborska (Labirynt), Czesław Miłosz (Aforyzmy na Miłosza), Samuel Beckett (NOT I) and one instrumental piece (Shades on Ice).
“Poetry Resounds in My Imagination” - a Conversation with Agata Zubel
The album begins with “Labirynt” (2011) for soprano (or mezzosoprano), bass flute, trumpet, tenor saxophone (or bass clarinet) and contrabass with the words of Wisława Szymborska (in the English version, the poem is brilliantly translated by Clare Cavanagh and Stanisław Barańczak). The piece was commissioned by the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv and was performed for the first time on the 14th of May 2012 in Jerusalem during the “Polish Connections” concert by Meitar Ensemble under the direction of Guy Fedara.
“She uses a wide variety of vocal effects including sprechgesang, various whispers and sighs; in the instrumentals she amplifies them to every possible timbre. The role of silence is also important, sudden pauses give sounds a chance to stand out.” – writes Anna Weber. “One of Zubel’s characteristic gestures is the sublimation of the voice into the instrumental texture, usually in rhythmic unison with one instrument or more.” –writes Adrian Thomas.
“Aforyzmy na Miłosza” (for solo soprano, string quintet, percussion, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet and accordion) was produced for the Sacrum Profanum festival on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Czesław Miłosz. The lyrics for the song were taken from a range of Miłosz’s work, one can hear fragments of both his poems and prose in the song. It was first performed on the 15th of September 2011 at the Sacrum Profanum festival , at a concert in the Museum of Urban Engineering. Agata Zubel herself performed the vocal solo and Clement Power led the Klangforum Wien orchestra.
“The lyrics chosen by the composer metaphorically deal with humanity, doubt, and uncover existential problems associated with the modern person” – writes Alexandra Masłowska in an essay on the subject of Agata Zubel’s creativity – “Not surprising in terms of the development of the vocals and instrumentals in “Aforyzmy”, which may be an expression of humble esteem for Polish neoclassical poetry, the music exists for the text, extracts its meaning, creates an aura.”
“Shades of Ice” (for clarinet, cello, and electronics) is the only piece on the KAIROS CD without vocals. The piece was made for the London Sinfonietta chamber orchestra, as part of the “Sonic Exploration” series. It was first performed on the 20th of October 2011 in London by Mark van de Wiel and Tim Gill. It is a musical representation of the composer’s fascination with the Icelandic landscape, in particular the Vatnajökull glacier, the biggest in Europe. “It’s the most ‘picturesque’ piece I have ever written” says Agata Zubel.
“I remember a similar piece by Helena Tulve about a melting iceberg, but that was for orchestra and didgeridoo. Agata Zubel only uses two enhanced instruments, that are somehow able to describe the largest glacier in Iceland – and indeed these sounds really do convey something icy and flickering” – writes Dorota Szawarcman.
The album ends with the titular “NOT I” for vocals, instrumental group and electronics, written by Zubel in 2010. The composition has been distinguished many times, among others, at the UNESCO Rostrum of Composers in Prague, and with the first ever Polonica Nova award. “I think that these rewards neither hinder nor help me. Although it is very nice, because it is a confirmation that what we are doing has an impact” – comments the composer on her successes.
“The musical world of Agata Zubel reveals her sophisticated imagination, brilliance and keen wits. Among modern Polish composers, Zubel is clearly at the forefront.” – writes Dorota Szawarcman in Polityka.
Sources: The booklet included with Agata Zubel's disc '' NOT I'' by Adrian Thomas, ''Agata Zubel’s Business Card” by Alexandra Masłowska for the internet portal Meakultura, PWM, NOT I review by Dorothy Szwarcman,
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tr. Alexander Sikorski, July 2014