Classical/Review Marcin Sanakiewicz - Unfolked Piano. Some Polish Themes

Marcin Sanakiewicz - pianist, arranger, soloist, and respected accompanist. Since 1996, he has been an artist at the legendary Piwnica pod Baranami in Krakow. Janusz Radek's long-time stage partner in the cult recital "Serwus Madonna" (produced for TVP and Polish Radio, Universal Music Polska album). He also collaborated with other outstanding artists of the Polish scene, such as Anna Szałapak, Kamila Klimczak, Rafał Jędrzejczyk, Ada Fijał, Jacek Wójcicki, and Agnieszka Chrzanowska.

“Unfolked Piano. Some Polish Themes” marks a quietly striking debut from Marcin Sanakiewicz, an artist stepping into the spotlight with a deeply personal and refined musical statement. As the title suggests, the album reinterprets traditional Polish melodies, gently unraveling them from their folk origins and reshaping them into intimate solo piano meditations.

The opening single, “Across My Garth,” immediately establishes the album’s tone. Drawing from the traditional motif “W moim ogródecku,” the piece feels unhurried and contemplative, like wandering through a secluded garden. Sanakiewicz approaches the melody with restraint, allowing each note to breathe and resonate, creating a sense of quiet immersion.

Across the album’s twelve pieces, this approach remains consistent yet never repetitive. The music feels suspended between tradition and modernity, where echoes of Polish folk dissolve into a contemporary, almost ambient language. The influence of artists like Hania Rani, Nils Frahm, Lubomyr Melnyk, Tigran Hamasyan, and Aleksander Dębicz is evident, particularly in the emphasis on texture, space, and subtle emotional shifts rather than overt virtuosity.

What truly defines “Unfolked Piano. Some Polish Themes” is its sensitivity. Sanakiewicz’s touch is delicate, with careful pedaling and micro-dynamic control that allow even the simplest phrases to linger in the air. Silence becomes as meaningful as sound, shaping the album’s reflective character.

Ultimately, this is a record that invites patience and attentiveness. It doesn’t demand attention—it rewards it. In doing so, Sanakiewicz delivers a debut that feels both rooted in heritage and gently untethered from it, offering a serene and introspective listening experience.