Ondřej Adámek: Follow Me & Where Are You?

Dive into the avant-garde world of Ondřej Adámek with his captivating 2022 release, "Follow Me & Where Are You?". This album, a live recording, showcases Adámek's unique compositional voice, blending contemporary classical techniques with influences from diverse musical traditions. The album is divided into two main works: "Follow Me", a three-movement concerto for violin and orchestra, and "Where Are You?", a sprawling, multi-movement piece that explores themes of absence, longing, and revelation.

"Follow Me" opens with the solo violin mimicking the exaggerated vibrato of a singer in Japanese Noh theatre, a striking and unusual choice that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The piece employs the late medieval hocket technique, with melodies divided between the soloist and the orchestra, creating a dialogue between the individual and the collective.

"Where Are You?" is a journey through a landscape of sound, with each movement offering a different perspective on the central theme. From the slow, deliberate "Slotha" to the ecstatic "Ecstacy" and the ethereal "Levitation", the piece is a testament to Adámek's skill in creating atmosphere and tension.

The album features stellar performances from Isabelle Faust on violin and Magdalena Kožená on vocals, with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. The packaging is equally impressive, with a 36-page booklet featuring notes in both German and English, providing valuable context for the music.

"Follow Me & Where Are You?" is a compelling introduction to Ondřej Adámek's unique musical language, offering a rich and rewarding listening experience. The album was released on January 21, 2022, by BR-Klassik, and is a testament to Adámek's status as one of the most exciting composers working in the avant-garde today.