BaroCK Brilliance: OrliNski Live

Last Saturday, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a concert at NOSPR in Katowice—a night that left me utterly spellbound. The artist gracing the stage was none other than Jakub Józef Orlinski, a name that, until a while ago, I knew little about.
​Let me take you through the journey of how I discovered this brilliant countertenor and how his music has become such a significant part of my life.

picture taken from culture.pl

​I first stumbled upon Orlinski quite by accident, during Mika's concert. In one of the songs, Mika invited a special guest to sing with him—Orlinski. At that moment, I had no idea who he was, let alone that he was a famous Polish countertenor with a rapidly growing international reputation. But his voice captivated me from the very first note. There was something ethereal about his performance, and I knew I had to explore more of his work.

That’s when I came across one of his performances of Prząśniczka by Moniuszko. The piece is pure magic. For me, it encapsulates everything beautiful about Polish culture and heritage. The melody, the emotion, and the deep sense of tradition it evokes are truly breathtaking. It was in that moment I realized that Orlinski was an artist who had the rare ability to touch the soul through his voice.

And then ... Lets BaROCK happened. 
The Lets BaROCK project is a bold and captivating venture that blends the timeless elegance of Baroque music with modern elements, surprising the listener with unexpected twists while preserving the genre’s essence. The album is a masterpiece, showcasing Orlinski’s range, not just in his stunning vocals but also in his ability to infuse contemporary flair, such as rap, into traditional Baroque forms. Aleksander Debicz, the brilliant pianist alongside Orlinski, has crafted music arrangements that inject a fresh pulse into those already stunning centuries-old classics. Honestly, I don’t think Orlinski could’ve pulled it off without his magic!

In the days leading up to the concert, I deliberately chose not to listen to the Lets BaROCK single releases. I wanted the live experience to be my first real encounter with the music. In retrospect, that was one of the best decisions I could have made. No sound system, no matter how high-end, could replicate the richness and grandeur of hearing those pieces live. 

The magic of hearing Orlinski live is something that stays with you long after the final note fades. There’s a certain energy that comes from a performance like this, something raw and real that you simply can’t capture in a recording. Now that I’ve heard the concert, I’m finally able to listen to the album and relive those moments.

I wanted to share this experience with you, not just as a concert recap, but as a personal invitation to see Orlinski live or explore his latest album, Lets BaROCK. I hope it offers you, as it did for me, the chance to experience something truly profound and utterly beautiful.