This release presents Komeda’s complete original soundtrack for Polanski’s classic film Knife In The Water (1961) – his first feature film, and one of his finest. The director commented that “Komeda was a film composer par excellence. He gave truth to my films. Without his music they would be meaningless.”
This release’s nine bonus tracks comprise two additional soundtracks by Komeda, for the silent short Two Men And A Wardrobe (1958), also directed by Polanski, and the feature Opening Tomorrow (1962) directed by Janusz Morgenstern.
Polish pianist and composer Krzysztof Komeda (1931-1969) is best known for his film scores, which include other Polanski films, notably Rosemary’s Baby, The Fearless Vampire Killers and Cul-de-sac. From 1960 he frequently toured in Europe; his album Astigmatic (1965) was a great commercial success. In 1967 he moved to Hollywood under a three-year contract to Paramount and wrote music for films.
Komeda’s varied output also includes songs, musicals and music for theatre and ballet – Crazy Girl and Ballad for Bernt have become standards. His death in an accident at the age of 37 was a grievous loss to European jazz.
Swedish saxophonist Bernt Rosengren is a neglected master. With his big tone and rather behind the beat phrasing, there are perhaps echoes of Dexter Gordon in his playing. He’s a powerful presence on these wonderful sides of European jazz from its heroic era. He shares honours with Komeda himself, whose improvising is crisp and lucid.
Discography
Ballad For Bernt; Crazy Girl; Cherry; Crazy Girl; Knife In The Water / Ballad For Bernt; Knife In The Water / Crazy Girl / Ballad For Bernt; Knife In The Water ; Knife In The Water; Ballad For Bernt; Crazy Girl; Cherry; Typish Jazz; Roman Two; Kolysanka; Two Men And A Wardrobe; Title Theme; Opening Tomorrow; Opening Tomorrow; Title Theme; Love Theme; Opening Theme; Love Theme (71.30)
Collective personnel includes Krzysztof Komeda (p); Bernt Rosengren, Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski (ts); Wiesław Eyssymont (t); Jerzy Milian, Józef Gawrych (vib); Adam Skorupka, Roman Dylag (b); Leszek Dudziak (d). Poland, 1957 to 1962.
Soundtrack Factory 606366
