Dawid Lubowicz: Human Fate

Dawid Lubowicz is not alone in pondering whether we forge our own destiny or whether it is shaped by forces beyond our control. The question has kept philosophers, religions and fortune tellers in steady work for millennia, and it provided the Polish violinist/mandolinist Lubowicz with the inspiration for the music on Human Fate. Whether it was fate or single-minded determination that decreed Lubowicz would choose the violin, excel in his musical studies and pursue an international career is, for the rest of us, a moot point. What matters is that Lubowicz is back with his quartet for the follow-up to Inside (Seifert Records, 2018).

Six years may seem like a long gap between albums, but Lubowicz has not been idling. He has recorded Penderecki (Universal Music Poland, 2019) with Atom String Quartet, Piazzolla (For Tune Records, 2021) with Bester Quartet and the duo album Stories (Opus Series/Requiem Records, 2023) with Brazilian violinist Christian Danowicz. For Human Fate Lubowicz has assembled a new-look quartet, with only bassist Robert Kubiszyn returning from Inside. Patryk Dobosz fills the drum stool, while older brother Jakub Lubowicz joins on piano.

Lubowicz pens a pretty melody—look no further than the lilting mandolin-led opener "Positive." His compositions are elegantly structured, providing solid foundations from which some fine solos emerge; Jakub Lubowicz's electric piano solo on the jaunty "The Joker" and Kubiszyn's electric bass foray on "Harlequin" stand out, but there persists an underlying feeling that these musicians' abilities are rarely tested—at least as a unit. For example, Dobosz' solo over a perfunctory vamp on "The Joker" barely hints at his prodigious talent. More satisfying is his continuously inventive play in the music's more up-tempo and animated passages, usually when the leader stretches out on violin—in breathtaking style.

It is Lubowicz's virtuosity that truly gives this album its luster. He shines on both mandolin and violin on "Personal Quest" and delivers a brace of electrifying improvisations on the four-part suite "Tango for the Abandoned." In this sort of form the Zakopane-born violinist has few equals. Yet, there is more to Lubowicz than improvisational flair. Tunes like the nostalgic "Evening Reflections" and the exceptional ballad "Fulfilment"—played quite beautifully on mandolin—reflect a deeply-felt lyricism.

Human Fate is a consistently fine album, rich with high points. It could be the launching pad for greater adventures to come, should fate decree.

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