Tibor Szemzo: Danube Exodus (2002)

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: March 10, 2003

Hungarian composer Tibor Szemzo’s latest tome set to music is based on the soundtrack for the film Danube Exodus by Peter Forgacs. The music depicts the 1939 exodus of Jews from Bratislava, hiring two steamboats with the intentions of escaping Slovak and Nazi rule. Hence, the composer’s minimalist concepts shine forth here amid an electro-acoustic set featuring strings, horns and a rhythm section. Szemzo conveys moods of various colors throughout these hauntingly melodic pieces, spanning world music, contemporary classical and jazz along with nicely placed EFX.

The artist employs vocalist Marcell Lorand and Trio Lorand to enhance the proceedings with faintly mixed, operatic style libretto. With this effort, Szemzo implements enticing melodies to complement airy strings, delicately balanced percussion grooves and multihued frameworks, while also utilizing space and depth to great effect. On “Ceskoslovensko,” the ensemble renders temperate passages atop Tamas Toth’s tuneful electric bass work and drummer Peter Magyar Osszekoto’s subliminally inclined concoctions. Overall, Szemzo is a master at the art of deception, where his primary themes repeat in ostinato fashion to coincide with a few symmetrical shifts in strategy. Recommended...

Leo Records

Track Listing: 1.Loel Simurim 2.Furcap 3.Boat-Collage 4. Ceskoslovensko 5.Pleasure Boat 6.Schwartzmeer 7.Quarantine 8.Zombient 9.Counter-Light (Also includes three

Personnel: Tibor Szemzo: bassflute

Record Label: Leo Records
Style: Beyond Jazz