Revisit Hania Rani ‘s performance at Nancy Jazz Pulsations 2023 full concert now available to watch on YouTube.
In a world saturated with sound and spectacle, Hania Rani offers something rare: stillness, introspection, and unfiltered emotion. At the 2023 edition of Nancy Jazz Pulsations, the Polish pianist and composer delivered a breathtaking performance captured by ARTE Concert, showcasing her mastery of nuance, silence, and sonic depth.
Accompanied by Ziemowit Klimek on double bass and electronics, Rani turned the stage into a sanctuary—minimalist yet rich with feeling. The duo’s chemistry was fluid and intuitive, elevating the set from a simple recital to a shared emotional journey. Rani’s style, a fusion of neoclassical minimalism, ambient textures, and delicate improvisation, was on full display, as was her uncanny ability to hold an audience in rapt attention with the gentlest of notes.
The concert opened with “Oltre Terra”, an atmospheric piece that unfolded like a whispered promise—an invitation into Rani’s world. As the set progressed into “24.03”, the piano’s crystalline tones echoed like fragile memories, subtly supported by Klimek’s pulsing bass.
In “Dancing with Ghosts”, Rani explored the tension between presence and absence, weaving haunting melodic fragments that felt both distant and intimate. “The Boat” continued this exploration, its rhythms evoking a sense of gentle drifting, as if floating through fog.
Each composition was distinct, yet together they formed a narrative of movement, memory, and emotion. The solemn beauty of “Moans” gave way to the melancholic elegance of “Hello”, where Rani’s characteristic restraint gave her music even more weight.
By the time we reach “Thin Line”, her playing became more expansive, without losing its grounding in introspection. Then came “Komeda”, a subtle homage to Polish jazz legend Krzysztof Komeda, where tradition and innovation intertwined seamlessly.
The concert closed with “Always in the Dark”, a piece that encapsulated the entire performance: quiet, mysterious, and profoundly human.
Hania Rani’s rise within the contemporary classical and ambient scenes is no accident. Her music resists categorization, balancing structure with spontaneity, and virtuosity with vulnerability. In this ARTE-recorded performance, she reaffirmed her status as one of Europe’s most vital and compelling musical voices.
Nancy Jazz Pulsations 2023 offered the perfect setting for this performance—an environment open to genre-crossing innovation and emotional honesty. ARTE’s capture of the event was equally sensitive, preserving the intimacy and atmosphere of the moment.
For those unfamiliar with Hania Rani, this concert serves as an ideal entry point. And for longtime fans, it’s a powerful reminder of her singular talent: the ability to create entire worlds from a few notes, and to make silence sing.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4qbnQAsC-8
Setlist Highlights:
- 0:24 – Oltre Terra
- 4:22 – 24.03
- 9:51 – Dancing with Ghosts
- 15:47 – The Boat
- 21:11 – Moans
- 25:43 – Hello
- 34:21 – Thin Line
- 41:28 – Komeda
- 51:32 – Always in the Dark
Experience recommended: Alone, late at night, with headphones.