Reviewed by Krzysztof Komorek

For her latest album, pianist Tania Giannouli assembled a trio of her favourite instruments, an intriguingly original ensemble featuring Andreas Polyzogopoulos on trumpet and Kyriakos Tapakis on oud. This almost hour-long album presents a dozen new pieces composed by Giannouli with improvised contributions from her two countrymen.

Musically, however, there is no dominant instrument on "In Fading Light". The narratives of individual instruments are perfectly intertwined with each other, sometimes resounding as a solo (such as the beautiful trumpet introduction on "Hinemoa's Lament"), sometimes in duet interactions. The trio differentiates the moods in interesting ways. Reminiscent of Giannoula's earlier recordings, "Fallen", plays out in a minimalist dialogue between trumpet and piano. As the title suggests, "Bela's Dance" takes the listener into the swirling world of an attractive melody, which unexpectedly breaks into an improvised fragment in the middle section.

Melodic beauty also characterizes "Ingravida" and "No Corner" where each of the three musicians present delightful solos. “Moth” is a two-and-a-half-minute solo improvisation that features the slightly dark resonances of Tapakis’s oud, followed by the excellent "Disquiet" where Giannouli makes great use of prepared piano. This style returns in the final miniature, "In Fading Light", but before that we are treated to the calming beauty of "Inland Sea".

“Art is not a luxury. We need it for balance in life.” It's hard not to agree with these words from Tania Giannouli. Music offers joy, the strength to act, and comfort when needed. Let's celebrate this, especially when revealed in such a beautiful form as In Fading Light.

Krzysztof Komorek, Donos Kulturalny, November 2020
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