Nowhere was the technical excellence of the Penderecki Quartet more evident than with the final offering, also a world premiere performance, “TrancePaining (Black Wings Has My Angel) String Quartet No. 3”, by Piotr Grella-Mozejko, completed just last month. Following the minimalist musical score with its seemingly never-ending repeats surely was a feat in concentration alone. The subtitle was taken from American author Elliott Chaze’s dark-toned novel. Grella-Mozejko voices his protest against the global events of today. He stands vehemently against the tyrants “using their often unlimited powers to bleed nations in the name of freedom.”
Anna Lisa Eyles, THE LIVE MUSIC REPORT
…mare tenebrarum (sea of darkness, Piano sonata #2…) stretches the traditional notion of a piano sonata. It is a highly temperamental emotional outpouring in an improvisatory manner divided into two movements, Sempre allegro and the other Presto possibile… the total effect was strongly cathartic… In the end we are – contrasted with the brightest stars in the darkest night, alone afloat in a vast sea, here we wonder and stare up into the night sky.
Elgar Schmidt, THE ALBERTA NEW MUSIC & ARTS REVIEW
Piotr Grella-Możejko brings us to… completely different world, the conclusion of which was the highlight of the concert… This work [Coloratura for Charles/disco(n)notation for baritone saxophone and electronics] is largely a work of impression… The music (is) at one moment harsh, then reflective, and often sardonic (a modern hymn)… At one point the baritone sax calls out, like a conch shell concert of Neptune, and we enter into a very deep watery mysterious world. Rarely in a concert have I seen an audience so completely drawn into a single ‘duration’ of concentrated mood…
Elgar Schmidt, THE ALBERTA NEW MUSIC & ARTS REVIEW