Reviewed in Radiohoerer

Tania Giannouli is a pianist and composer who successfully defies categorization. Whether it's film music, works for classical orchestra, or collaborations with various ensembles, her music remains independent and unmistakable.

With her grandiose solo concert at the Enjoy Festival 2020 she made a lasting impression. I was electrified by her energy and the variety of her music and hadn't heard anything like this from a pianist in a very long time. And now there is this trio album, In Fading Light, with an unusual line-up of trumpet and oud. This same ensemble gave an acclaimed concert at the Berlin Jazz Festival in 2018 and was voted the best concert of the entire festival by Jazzthetik magazine.

“Oud and trumpet are two of my favourite instruments," says Giannouli in the liner notes. "A piano trio with these instruments is unusual, but I wanted to explore the beautiful textures, tonalities, and emotional resonances that this combination of instruments offers. And of course, Andreas Polyzogopoulos (trumpet) and Kyriakos Tapakis (oud) are fabulous musicians and they are a pleasure to work with."

Her decision to explore the possibilities of this unusual grouping of instruments has produced colourful and intense results. The trio interacts on an equal footing and employs all the technical possibilities of their instruments, transforming Tania Giannouli's compositions into gems that change their colours depending on the mood.

"Bela's Dance" suggests a memory of a party, which might have taken place at the pool on the cover. But now the party's over. Nature has reclaimed the overgrown pool. The picture may sound a sad warning, but the music on this album is, as Tania says, "... an expression of love, hope and compassion, a plea for understanding, kindness and the need to respect and accept our mutual bond."

This music is indeed full of emotions and deep feeling, carried by beautiful melodies that reach our souls. This is music that speaks positively in these difficult times, food for the soul so to speak, which we can all use right now.

Radiohoerer, November 2020
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