The event, organized by the Polish Institute in Rome, was held to mark the inauguration of the Polish presidency of the European Union. Representatives of the diplomatic corps and Italian parliamentarians were among the guests, witnessing the concert in Rome's largest cultural complex, designed by the legendary Renzo Piano. The audience was welcomed by the Polish Ambassador to Rome, Ryszard Schnepf.
Although Możdżer and Fresco are virtuosos from different musical traditions, they have managed to find a common language, creating a unique fusion of sounds between Middle Eastern percussion-based music and improvised melodies rooted in European classical art. Both musicians have been collaborating since the 1990s, creating a fascinating universe of musical ideas' intellectual exchange - and friendly encounters on stage.
Apart from their own compositions, the artists also performed pieces by the Polish jazz giants, Krzysztof Komeda and Zbigniew Namysłowski. Speaking for Polish Radio after the concert, Leszek Możdżer emphasized that Polish culture has much to offer Europe:
"We have enormous resources in Poland - excellent classical music, fantastic improvisers, wonderful directors and poets. I have the impression that in Poland this cultural, artistic, creative tissue is very much alive"
- Możdżer said.
The artists concluded the show playing Komeda's most famous composition - a lullaby from the horror film "Rosemary's Baby" (directed by Poland's Roman Polański, no less).
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Source: IAR, PAP