Some time ago I was captivated by a music video shot in one take by Dorota Szczepańska, Rafał Tomkiewicz and Alon Sariel – „Caro! Bella!”. I was curious to see if the collaboration of these three artists would bring something more. And it did: on 7 July, their EP „Händel Shorts” was released. Why „shorts”? The reason is simple: the trio performs only part A of an aria or duet, their „shortcuts”. All accompanied by lute, mandolin and baroque guitar.
I remember preparing a playlist of baroque pieces for my music therapy classes. At that time, I greatly missed recordings featuring an aria or duet, shortened to the first part. Szczepańska, Tomkiewicz, and Sariel took exactly this approach. They thought that since the short forms like Reels, Stories, or YouTube Shorts are popular and more accessible to a wider audience, this practice could also be applied to classical music. I fully embrace this idea.
Listening to the album is a great pleasure. The interpretations are clear and very interesting. Each aria tells us a story. It can be taken literally, but you can also imagine a story of your own. The arrangements are somewhat different from what we are used to. The artists play with melody, rhythm, and tempo. You can feel that they enjoy creating music together.
The EP consists of five arias/ duets from the operas of George Frideric Handel:
– “Io t’abbraccio” – Rodelinda
– “Ah, mio cor” – Alcina
– “Bramo aver mille vite” – Ariodante
– “Sussurrate onde vezzose” – Amadigi di Gaula
– “Caro!… Bella!” – Giulio Cesare
Dorota Szczepańska has a mature and richly colored voice. She beautifully interprets both melancholic compositions and fervent, passionate pieces like “Ah, mio cor.” On the EP, the artist impresses with her exceptional high notes. They are effortless, without any sense of strain. Dorota Szczepańska masterfully phrases, using clear and varied articulation. She expresses emotions poignantly, but without excessive display. Her interpretations of Handel’s arias are sometimes personal, even intimate, and at other times fiery and spirited.
I have been listening to Rafał Tomkiewicz many times and I want to listen to him even more. The vocalist has a wide range and pure tone. His singing is resonant and flexible, bright and radiant. Pastel-like. He utilizes all these skills in “Händel Shorts”. My favorite – “Sussurrate onde vezzose.” Beautifully executed melismas, interesting accents, excellent sense of phrasing, clarity, well-grounded sound in both high and low notes.
It’s also worth mentioning the harmony of Dorota Szczepańska and Rafał Tomkiewicz’s voices. They are made for each other! The artists admit themselves that they understand each other without words. This results in very coherent sounds. Their voices complement each other, and in sung dialogues, they are very decisive, sometimes even daring. Finally, “Caro!… Bella!” from Giulio Cesare. A joyful, optimistic, carefree duet. It makes you want to clap along with the artists.
Alon Sariel is an exceptional lutenist. In the recordings he stands in for an entire orchestra and does so exceptionally well. The sound of his instruments is full, resonant and impeccably clear. Sometimes powerful, sometimes gentle. With great sensitivity to phrasing. I was particularly impressed by the beginning of 'Ah, mio cor’. It is full of passion and provides an introduction to the emotions the singers will express later: love, despair, suffering. Alon Sariel also showcases his virtuosity at many points, as in „Bramo aver mille vite”. The lutenist has a great sense of polyphony. In his playing, one can follow all the voices, a skill not so common.
„Händel Shorts” is an excellent album. Believe me, it leaves the listener in a great mood. I keep humming the tracks from the EP. They stay in my head long after I have finished listening to them. That’s the best recommendation!
The EP is accompanied by two music videos available on YouTube: the aforementioned duet “Caro!… Bella” and “Io t’abbraccio.” They are good. And fun to watch. The dancing is brilliant, the execution excellent. The EP is available on all major streaming platforms – Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon, Qobuz.
Tomorrow I will hear Alon Sariel and Dorota Szczepańska live. As part of the Warsaw Music Gardens festival, the artists will perform in the Lamento Project programme. “The concert, as a whole creates a narrative about lament as a timeless, diverse phenomenon full of many shades, but ultimately leading to liberation!” German jazz bassist Peter Schwebs will join Dorota Szczepańska and Alon Sariel for the concert.
I can’t wait for more musical experiences.
Link to the EP
https://open.spotify.com/album/6tjQ1BVLcqwyMS3sYggtkC…
Links do music videos:
