In the tapestry of our lives, there are moments when the hand of Fate gently guides us towards unexpected encounters, and such is the enchanting tale of the Slovenian trio, Širom, and the Polish virtuoso guitarist, Raphael Roginski. It's a narrative they eloquently weave, with the resonating echo of Roginski's recording, 'Raphael Rogiński - Plays John Coltrane And Langston Hughes' African Mystic Music,' subtly influencing the course of their musical union.

This collaboration transcends mere artistic partnership, for it pulsates with a shared heartbeat, one that beats in unison within the souls of both Roginski and Širom. There is a profound resonance in their individual spirits and artistic expressions. Anna Kravanja, Samo Kutin, and Iztok Koren each bear an intimate connection to ancient musical traditions, embracing a pure and unpretentious approach to making music. Their dwellings nestle them amidst the embrace of nature's splendor, and in our conversation with them, they emphasize the paramount significance of familial bonds and the simple joys of communal meals.

Yet, the harmonious tapestry woven by these four musicians transcends simplicity. Their profound adoration for a vast array of traditional instruments, from banjo and balafon to kalimba, viola, and harps, elevates their musicality to a transcendent realm. The result is an evocative and mystical ambiance, born of deeply personal narratives that seemingly conjure their own myths, yet remain firmly rooted in the present moment. Their collaborative creation is nothing short of a breath of fresh air, perpetually renewing itself in the ever-present 'now.' The exquisite track they perform together bears the title, 'I came alone into this world.'

Music from the episode

‘I Came Into This World Alone’ (Moondog) from Raphael Rogiński and Širom’s project “The World of Moondog” 

Further reading

• Raphael Rogiński / bio on culture.pl

• Širom / bio on band’s website 

• Beyond borders: Raphael Rogiński takes a spiritual trip around Eastern Europe / on wire.co.uk

• A World Beyond: An interview with Širom / on thequietus.com

Further watching

• KOOB Sessions: ŠIROM feat. RAPHAEL ROGIŃSKI in Muzika eklektika / on YouTube.com

• The World of Moondog: Raphael Rogiński, Natalia Przybysz, Širom / on YouTube.com

• Rural Underground: Širom / on YouTube.com

• ‘Electron’: Raphael Rogiński (from the album Talán) / on YouTube.com

Credits

This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

Written, produced and scored  by Magdalena Stępień

Executive production by Move Me Media

Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak 

Copyrights

The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

Within the Rebel Spirits series, a resounding truth emerges: music born from improvisation demands both formidable technical prowess and a receptive, open-hearted approach. Enter 'Voice 'n' Drums,' a collaborative venture between Polish vocalist Ania Rybacka and Danish drummer Stefan Pasborg, representing a bold exploration of one of humanity's most powerful impulses—to connect.

Ania Rybacka steadfastly eschews the constraints of musical genres and labels, forging her path through the boundless realm of music with unbridled personal freedom. Her creative odyssey spans a spectrum, encompassing experimental endeavors like her 'Voice and Movement Encounters' and the electronic trio, Blueberry.

In stark contrast, Stefan Pasborg assumes the roles of bandleader, composer, and the visionary behind the artist-driven label, ILK Music. Among the many notable albums he recorder 'The Firebirds  stand out -' a daring reinterpretation of Stravinsky's 'Firebird' for a trio, followed by the remarkable 'Ritual Dances,' a homage to the Rite of Spring, which underscores Pasborg's penchant for embracing risks and shouldering artistic responsibility.

'Voice 'n' Drums' stands as a markedly distinct project in Pasborg's portfolio. Drawing upon his profound sensitivity and adept mastery of empathetic collaboration, Pasborg weaves an intricate musical tapestry in response to Ania's intuitive offerings, engendering an exquisite and intimate dialogue.

In this illuminating interview, the artists candidly unveil the vulnerability they experienced while crafting music entirely through improvisation, a venture undertaken as a duo. Their insights offer a captivating glimpse into their creative process and infuse a vibrant vitality into the mesmerizing composition, 'Aurora,' which, in turn, invigorates our experience as listeners.

Music by Ania Rybacka and Stefan Pasborg. Copyright - Hevhetia

Track: Aurora

Further Reading

• Ania Rybacka's web site

• Stefan Pasborg's website

• Stefan Pasborg / ILK 

Further Watching

• Aurora

• Ania Rybacka's TEDx

• Ania Rybacka and Stefan Pasborg / live

• Dr. Big Band and Stefan Pasborg / live

Credits

This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Derba Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. 

Written, produced and scored by Monika Proba

Executive production by Move Me Media

Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak

Copyrights

The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

The Bastarda’s and Holland Baroque’s joint project marks the inception of one of two captivating collaborations born from a shared reverence for music of eras long past. To pinpoint an exact period would be unwise, but this exceptional fusion of the Bastarda Trio and the Dutch ensemble, Holland Baroque, converges on the concepts, gestures, and dynamics of early music, spanning from the medieval ages to the Baroque era. Yet, as articulated by violinist Judith Steenbrink of Holland Baroque, the music they craft resonates with the contemporary spirit, a fact acutely evident when immersing oneself in the following track, 'Gaude.'

What also crystallizes is their unwavering belief in the auditory landscape they conjure—the aesthetics, the heartfelt dedication with which they perform, and the profound impact it can have on both listeners and themselves as musicians. Their creative journey embarked with a nod to the 13th-century mystic Hadewijch from Brabant, Netherlands, who penned a form of love poetry encompassing love in its broadest and most imaginative sense. In fact, the project's title, 'Minne,' is rooted in 'beminnen,' Dutch for 'to love.'

They eloquently discuss the catalysts fueling their creativity, yet it is the music they compose, improvise, and arrange that emerges as the most eloquent storyteller. In 'Gaude,' their creation speaks resoundingly, immediately and with remarkable lucidity, conveying the fervor each musician harbors for a genre that masterfully and elegantly interlaces the echoes of yesteryears with the vibrant tapestry of the present.

Music from the episode: ‘Gaude’ from Bastarda Trio and Holland Baroque’s from the album ‘Minne’. Copyright - Pentatone Music B.V.

Further reading

• Paweł Szamburski / bio on culture.pl

• Bastarda Trio / bio on ensemble's website 

• Holland Baroque / bio on ensemble’s website 

• About ‘Minne’ project / on Holland Baroque’s website

• ‘Minne’ reviewed on The Free Jazz Collective 

Further watching

• ‘Minne’: Bastarda Trio and Holland Baroque in Poznań / on YouTube.com

• Mystical Jewish songs. ’Nigunim’: Bastarda Trio / on YouTube.com

• ‘Di Kunst der Fuge’ (J.S. Bach): Holland Baroque / on YouTube.com

Credits

This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

Written, produced and scored  by Magdalena Stępień

Executive production by Move Me Media

Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak 

Copyrights

The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.