Adam Baldwych European Quartet: Endless

Endless was recorded live at the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music in Lusławice, one of Poland's major concert venues. There was no audience; instead, the auditorium provided the ideal acoustic environment for violin master Adam Bałdych and the members of his European Quartet: Italian bandoneon player Daniele di Bonaventura, Swedish pianist Jacob Karlzon and Algerian bassist Michel Benita.

Despite the scale of the auditorium, the recording is sensitive and intimate, even fragile at times, as the musicians are content to leave space between their motifs and responses. The essence of Baldych's distinctive sound comes from his use of both a standard violin and a custom replica of a Renaissance violin, tuned to a lower register than the modern standard. Coupled with his outstanding pizzicato technique, this widens the sound-world he draws on, giving the overall effect a lyrical, melodic and accessible quality that emphasizes the compositional strength of the music.

Bałdych, who began playing the violin at the age of nine, was soon hailed as a prodigy. Since then, he has built an impressive career of albums, collaborations and awards, earning widespread recognition for his talents. Yet there is little sense that he is content to rest on his laurels. Instead, he appears continually in search of the subtle refinements that might bring him closer to further mastery of his instrument and craft.

Bałdych composed all of the pieces on the album with the exception of a plaintive interpretation of Erik Satie's "Gnossienne." His compositions are often enhanced by di Bonaventura's evocative bandoneon. He provides subtle accompaniment to the folk-inflected lament of "Rainbow," comes further to the fore in the pace-changing drama of "The Stars Are Closer Than We Think," and forms a superb duet with Bałdych on the title track, where the violin takes on an almost cello-like depth.

Bałdych duets with Benita's bass on "Michalina," with both instruments played pizzicato. He takes a similarly restrained approach on "Shine," this time duetting with Karlzon, whose piano solo is one of the album's highlights. The pianist also excels on "Horizon," a delightful track that also finds Bałdych at his best.

Each note unfolds thoughtfully on Endless. Whether weaving melodies or exploring influences from classical and folk music, Baldwych and the European Quartet capture a sense of space with delicate, natural phrasing. The music holds the attention without lingering too long, continually inviting the listener to something new.