UNIVERSAL

The 61th Eurovision Song Contest is approaching. That's way the national selection for this competition is the subject that today I would like to touch on. To be honest, I have to say that I am a little bit disappointed. As you know, song which will be representing Poland during the contest in May is Michal Szpak's "Color of Your Life". I like him! And moreover, I do like this song! But... in our national selection few months ago, there was another song which won my heart. This song, called "Universal" and performed by Dorota Osinska would really win the Europeans hearts. Exactly... "would", because the Polish audience didn't notice the huge potential of this track.

Dorota Osinska is an actress and a singer. She has been performing on the stage for more that 15 years already and she has released 3 albums. Moreover, last year she performed as an honour guest in duet with Jose Carreras. Now she is working with a world-famous composer and producer Rick Allison.

But, first of all, we have to appreciate her voice which is very nice, strong and let's say "in tune". Please listen to this song and pay attention to the timbre and scale of her voice. 

I think that this ballad is very pleasant and it grows on you the more you listen to it. This could be a song taken from a stage musical or even from animated Disney film. Unfortunaltely she wasn't the biggest name in this national selection (she was competing with the Polish stars like Margaret or Edyta Górniak) and that's why she wasn't the favourite. However I hope that the Polish audience won't forget about her performance. 

Some people compare Dorota Osinska to the great Belgian singer Lara Fabian and I think they are right because both of them have a beautiful and powerful voice. Furthermore, the author of the song "Universal" Rick Allison is also the author of many Lara Fabian's tracks. When Dorota Osinska was asked what impelled her to take part in the Polish national selection for Eurovision 2016 she responded : It was a spontaneous decision made at last minute. When I heard about Polish selections, Rick Allison with whom I was working, told me that he had a perfect song for that. When I heard it I knew that was IT. 

Meanwhile, I keep my fingers crossed for Michał Szpak and his song "Color of Your Life". I hope he will represent with dignity our country during the 61th Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.

SMAHS HITS

Generally speaking I do not listen to the smahs hits such as Queen's or Guns'n'Roses songs. I like them but from time to time during some party or concert, but usually - as you know - I listen to the alternative or classic music. However, it doesn't mean that I do not appreciate good music! Mostly if I consider something to be valuable, it doesn't matter which kind of music it is.

As a exemple I must mention the British band Coldplay. From time to time I would like to listen to something else, something different, but still "in good taste". This band is for me some kind of "diversion", some change from my favourite, classic music. To my mind, Coldplay is a band which doesn't construct the image through the scandals and it's still faithful to its values. Moreover, Coldplay has very wise songs! Just try to listen to the songs like "Yellow" or "Fix you"! Those tracks are very exceptional and I recommend you to listen to them :)

However my favourite Coldplay's song (and also one of the most popular) is "Viva la Vida". 

As you certainly know, the song's Spanish title "Viva la Vida" is taken from the painting, created by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. I think that Live the Life is a accurate translation. When Chris Martin was asked about this painting and also life of Frida Kahlo he said : She went through a lot of pain, of course, and then she started a big painting in her house that said 'Viva la Vida', I just loved the boldness of it. 

It's very interesting that the lyrics contain a lot of Biblical references for exemple pillars of sand are a reference of Biblical parable given by Jesus about the fool who built his house on sand and the wise man who built it on solid rock. Furthermore in this song we can hear "I know Saint Peter won't call my name" which refers to the popular belief of St. Peter guarding the gates of Heaven. 

Music is also very special because of the bells, chorus and orchestral sounds that make this song more sophisticated and even classic. In my opinion, all of those things give this song some air of intelligence, rare in today's most popular music. 

I think that Great Britain can be proud of this fantastic rock band which gives us this amazing and exceptional music :)

RUBIK'S PARADISE

Hi again!

Few days ago I heard very beautiful Polish song which pushed me into writing a post about songs with a deep message. To be honest I can't stand the empty songs without any sense, without any value... Yes, I know, recently I said that for me the music is more important than lyrics, but if I want to listen to the Polish songs, I want them to be valuable.

To my mind one of the most gifted Polish musicians is Piotr Rubik. He is well known composer of symphonic pop music for orchestra, film and theatre. What's interesting is that he studied film score composition in Siena under maestro Ennio Morricone. Moreover, he plays the piano and the cello as well. His opus magnum is called Tu es Petrus and this is the oratorio dedicated to John Paul II which contains Rubik's most popular song Let's them say it's not love (Niech mówią, że to nie jest miłość).
However almost all the songs are written by one of the Polish poets and screenwriters Zbigniew Książek who is the author of the song that I am going to talk about today.

The song called Strażnik Raju talk about a man who visits the paradise in order to talk with an Angel. He want to make sure that he won't be alone in the moment of death and also after it. He ask about the truth and the sense of life as well, but the Angel says to him that even if he responds to him, nothing won't change. For the Angel, it's a waste of time and people should live and not asking over and over...

Strażnik Raju is a part of the album Opisanie świata premiered on november 8th, 2011.
In my opinion, this a is very good song and I would like you to listen to songs of the duet Rubik & Książek because they are worth it.

MUSIC IN FRENCH

I have the impression that as a student of French studies I should show you more French songs. Yes... I think I should. When I was growing up in my house there was a lot of French music (and because of that I fell in love with this language). Anyway, there is many talented French singers and artists who are not famous in Poland. I suppose that the Polish people know only Edith Piaf and Joe Dassin (who was an American by the way). However, the younger audience should know Alysée, Zaz or Stromae. I would like to familiarize you with less known French musicians and today I am going to start with Patrick Bruel and his song Tout s'efface.

Patrick Bruel, born in Algeria in 1959 is a French singer but also an actor who acted in more that 40 film productions however as a musician he made five studio albums. As a curiosity I can you say that in addition to acting and singing he is also a world class poker player.

The song Tout s'efface is very, very, very melancholic and obviously romantic song about unfulfilled love :) Moreover I think that it isn't song only about love but also about hope which helps all people, hopelessly and unlickly loved. Even if a relationship between two people is ended, there is always hope that one day both of them will meet someone else. Yes, I know, this is quite trivial, isn't it? :)

In my opinion, Patrick Bruel as a very gifted artist is great in so-called "storytelling". I love the way he tell the love stories, especially because of the sadness in his voice and... in his eyes that you can check in the video above. Enjoy the song :)

And the Oscar goes to... Ennio Morricone!

Well, as one of the biggest fans of the film scores I have to mention the ceremony of Oscars 2016 because my favourite musician Ennio Morricone has won the Best Original Score Academy Award for his music for Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight. To be honest I haven't seen this film yet however I know the soundtrack well enough to express my opinion.

First of all this is a very specific music, characteristic of Ennio Morricone's style. As you probably know, the 87-old composer is noted for the soundtracks of westerns (for exemple : The Good, The Bad and The Ugly or Once Upon of time in the West). You can hear the similar sounds in this score which prouve that he returned to the roots. This soundtrack is moody and tension-building but I think that describing this kind of music is a little bit pointless because there is no words to express the real character of this composition. You have to listen to it! :)

In the beginning Morricone refused to collaborate again with Tarantino but ultimalety he changed his mind and agreed to score the Hateful Eight. Furthermore, he admited that he has a great respect for Tarantino and he is glad that this director chooses his music. It is worth mentioning that this movie is the first Western which Morricone has scored since 1981. Obviously this isn't the first Ennio Morricone's Oscar, he was lauded in 2006 with a career Oscar.
In february he gave also a concert at Hala Stulecia in Wrocław (the European Capital of Culture) but infortunately I couldn't be there... I regret it very much but I hope that he will come back to Poland as soon as possible!

Best wishes,
Kornelia

Song about King Arthur

Hello :)

   Considering the year 2015 is drawing to a close, I would like to share my biggest discovery with you! For me, this year has gone under the banner of the new French musical theatre called The legend of king Arhur (La legende du roi Arthur). I have to admit that I adore musicals, especially these made by the French - they are the masters of creating this kind of spectacle. The producer who is the author of almost every musical comedy high-profil in France is called Dove Attia who produced The Ten Commandements (2000), Gone with the wind (2006), Le Roi Soleil (2007), Mozart, l'opera rock (2009) and Les amants de la bastille (2012).

   The premiere of this musical took place the 17th September in the Palais des congres in Paris after almost two years of preparations. Since January 2016 they will be on tour in Switzerland, Belgium and of course in France.
    The main song promoting this show is called Quelque chose de magique (Something magic) performed by Florent Mothe and Camille Lou and this is one of the most energetic songs on the disc. You could listen it below :

   In this musical there is five protagonists : The main role of king Arthur is performed by Florent Mothe, French singer and actor who six years ago was playing the role of Antonio Salieri in Mozart, l'opera rock. The role of queen Guenievre is playing by Camille Lou, young but very gifted French singer. On the stage we can also see Zaho (Zahera Darabid), an Algerian R&B singer, well known in the Francophone countries. In Legend of king Arthur there is also two singers who are participated in the French reality competition The Voice : La plus belle voix, namely Charlie Boisseau and Fabien Incardona.

  This spectacle present the story of King Arthur, his life, but especially his loves. I would like so much to see the live performance. If you don't know this musical I encourage you to search on YouTube other songs which are also very interesting. If you are the fans of the musical comedy, just let me know which of them are your favourite?
 
  I am take advantage of situation and I would like to wish you all the best for the New Year 2016!

Best wishes,
Kornelia

SOMEONE

Hello everyone!

I must tell you that yesterday I was at the concert of the Polish band "Sound'n'Grace" and I have to admit that I am very impressed! Since a couple of month I have been listening the song "Someone"which, I am sure you know very good. Besides you can also hear this song in the new Polish comedy "Listy do M.2". In passing, I would like to say that I saw this film today and this is a real tear-jerker, so be carefull! If you want to see it, take a tissue! ;-)

The choir "Sound'n'Grace" was founded in 2005 by Kamil Mokrzycki and Anna Żaczek in Warsaw. They are specializing in gospel music but also in soul, funk and R&B.

In my opinion the song "Someone" has got very beautiful and positive lyrics. I think that today we need the songs with a joyful message which make us stronger and which can elevate our spirits. Let's look at the refrain : 

Try to leave the past behind

Don't let troubles cloud your mind

Coz nothing forver 

And only matters

To feel there is someone in the crowd

It's very positive, isn't it? :) I've noticed that when I have some problems I search positive music which can help me to forget my troubles. Except for the lyrics, I must also appreciate the excellent voice of Kamil Bijoś. This young gay feels great on the scene and singing live isn't a problem for him! Please check it and listen the song above :) 

Greetings,

K.