The Solastalgia Suite
Pyroclastic, 2026
9/10
Listen to The Solastigia Suite
The Grammy winning pianist and composer Kris Davis is joined by the Lutoslawski Quartet for these exciting and unpredictable 7 tracks that defy classification and rarely sit in one place for very long.
“Interlude” opens with Davis’ firm keys that align with the dizzying strings for both busy and soft gestures, where Arur Rozmysłowicz’s viola is particularly luminous, and “An Invitation To Disappear” follows with an intimate spirit thanks to Maciej Młodawski’s elegant cello.
“The Known End” occupies the middle spot and offers a tense bout of cinematic ideas, while “Ghost Reefs” moves cautiously via Roksana Kwaśnikowska and Marcin Markowicz’s emotive violins.
“Life On Venus” and “Degrees Of Separation” exit the listen. The former sprinkles Davis’ keys in strategically that helps cultivate a setting of mystery, and the latter is 11 minutes of the quartet’s inimitable chemistry and playful keys that radiate wonder and ambience in both jarring and soothing deliveries.
An exercise in free jazz and fascinating improvisation, Davis and company explore the climate change crisis with a defiant, complicated and uniquely insightful approach.
Travels well with: Brandon Seabrook- Object Of Unknown Function; Ingrid Laubrock- Purposing The Air