Polish Composer Hania Rani Weaves Atmospheric Tale at Barbican Hall
The Manchester Collective's performance of two premieres by Polish composer Hania Rani was an immersive experience that captured the audience's attention. The event, which drew in a crowd younger than typically expected for classical music, showcased Rani's unique blend of styles, combining elements of classical, jazz, and electronic music.
Her latest concerto, Non Fiction, is a five-year labor of love inspired by the sketchbooks of Josima Feldschuh, a young pianist confined to the Warsaw ghetto during WWII. The piece weaves an ethereal narrative that channels human resilience in the face of oppression. Rani's program note eloquently explores its relevance to contemporary times.
The performance itself was a testament to Rani's skill as a composer and performer. As soloist, she masterfully navigated both upright and grand pianos, pitted against a 47-piece orchestra that included mournful saxophones, busy harp, and even electronic tape. The music at its most haunting evoked sepia-tinted snapshots emerging from the mists of time.
However, balance issues with the lavish orchestration detracted from the overall impact. Rani's piano was often drowned out by the ensemble, stifling the emotional intensity that this powerful music had to offer. Despite this limitation, Non Fiction is a compelling work that has much to say – its unrooted harmonies framed vivid images that lingered long after the performance ended.
Shining, another premiere in the concert, was an otherworldly experience that drew the audience in with sinister discords on bass clarinet, bassoon, and horn. Its complex rhythms and shifting motifs conjured a sense of unease, recalling a ghost story told around a campfire at midnight. The music's ability to heighten one's senses made it a riveting experience.
Overall, Hania Rani's performances are a testament to her artistry as both composer and pianist. Her unique blend of styles has carved out a respectable niche in the classical music world, and Non Fiction and Shining are two works that showcase her mastery of atmospheric storytelling.
The Manchester Collective's performance of two premieres by Polish composer Hania Rani was an immersive experience that captured the audience's attention. The event, which drew in a crowd younger than typically expected for classical music, showcased Rani's unique blend of styles, combining elements of classical, jazz, and electronic music.
Her latest concerto, Non Fiction, is a five-year labor of love inspired by the sketchbooks of Josima Feldschuh, a young pianist confined to the Warsaw ghetto during WWII. The piece weaves an ethereal narrative that channels human resilience in the face of oppression. Rani's program note eloquently explores its relevance to contemporary times.
The performance itself was a testament to Rani's skill as a composer and performer. As soloist, she masterfully navigated both upright and grand pianos, pitted against a 47-piece orchestra that included mournful saxophones, busy harp, and even electronic tape. The music at its most haunting evoked sepia-tinted snapshots emerging from the mists of time.
However, balance issues with the lavish orchestration detracted from the overall impact. Rani's piano was often drowned out by the ensemble, stifling the emotional intensity that this powerful music had to offer. Despite this limitation, Non Fiction is a compelling work that has much to say – its unrooted harmonies framed vivid images that lingered long after the performance ended.
Shining, another premiere in the concert, was an otherworldly experience that drew the audience in with sinister discords on bass clarinet, bassoon, and horn. Its complex rhythms and shifting motifs conjured a sense of unease, recalling a ghost story told around a campfire at midnight. The music's ability to heighten one's senses made it a riveting experience.
Overall, Hania Rani's performances are a testament to her artistry as both composer and pianist. Her unique blend of styles has carved out a respectable niche in the classical music world, and Non Fiction and Shining are two works that showcase her mastery of atmospheric storytelling.
she's defo got skills but sometimes the orchestra is just too loud idk how rani balances everything out but when it does, man it's like u get this chill vibe 
still a fan of hers tho
I loved the immersive experience of Hania Rani's performance at Barbican Hall 
! The way she wove together classical, jazz, and electronic elements was pure magic 
. Her piano playing was stunning 
, especially when paired with the haunting sounds of the orchestra 
. Non Fiction is such a powerful piece 
- it really makes you feel like you're walking through a sepia-tinted landscape 
. And Shining? 
That bass clarinet solo gave me chills 
! The music was so evocative, I felt like I was right there with the ghost story 
. Can't wait to hear more from Hania Rani 
like, i loved how her music evoked these vivid images that lingered long after the performance ended 
i mean, rani's piano got lost in the mix sometimes & it was hard 2 feel the full weight of the music 
still tho, non fiction & shining are totes worth checking out if u haven't already 
! Hania Rani's performance was like nothing I've ever experienced before - it felt so immersive and emotional, like you were transported to another world 
. The way she wove together different styles and instruments created this ethereal atmosphere that had me fully engaged 
.
. But overall, Non Fiction and Shining were so compelling and hauntingly beautiful that I couldn't help but be drawn back in 
. Hania Rani is definitely one to watch - her music has this special something that stays with you long after the performance ends 
. But, gotta say, balance issues with the lavish orchestration did take away from the emotional impact 
. I think Rani's piano was often lost in the mix, which was a shame 'cause this music had so much to offer 
I gotta say, Rani's new concerto Non Fiction is giving me LIFE 
! As for balance issues with the orchestration... yeah, I feel ya 
. But honestly, who needs perfect clarity when the vibe is so hauntingly beautiful? Anyway, did you know that classical music has seen a 15% increase in streaming on platforms like Apple Music & YouTube since 2022? That's some next-level growth! 
. It's a powerful commentary on human resilience in the face of oppression.
. I mean, when she's on piano alone, it's all about intimacy and emotional intensity... but then you add this massive 47-piece ensemble, and it's hard for her piano to shine through 
.
. But honestly, it's a small trade-off when you're dealing with music that's as beautiful and haunting as Rani's.
. And her ability to evoke these vivid images through sound is just incredible 
.
- those sinister discords on bass clarinet and horn had me on edge from start to finish! It's clear that Rani has a gift for crafting music that really gets under your skin 
.
i was at this concert last week and oh man it was emotional! i loved how Hania Rani's music told these really powerful stories without needing to say anything 
the way she wove the different instruments together was like a cinematic experience, you know? 
it took away from the emotional impact i think. still, non fiction and shining are going straight to my playlist 
like, i was at a concert last year where she performed non fiction and it was so hauntingly beautiful... but yeah, sometimes the orchestration could be too much for the piano to handle 
still, can't wait to see what she comes up with next 
. still, rani's got skills and i'd totes check out more of her stuff 
. of course balance issues kinda threw me off but its clear she poured her heart into that piece 
shinin tho was straight fire 
that bass clarinet solo gave me chills 
Hania Rani's music is so immersive it felt like you were living through those dark times in WWII 
her piano playing was insane, I mean who needs 47-piece orchestra when you've got a single pianist to transport you to another world? 
anyway Non Fiction might have had balance issues but trust me the emotional punch still landed