Last July, I had the privilege of recording my new work for alto saxophone and piano at the legendary Emil Berliner Studios in Berlin with the incredibly talented duo, Christoph Enzel and Chelsey Padilla. We’ve finally put the finishing touches on the recording, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life.

Here is the link to the recording and below some more information about the piece.

Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano

Proprium

Proprium explores the question of identity through the lens of my own family history. Although I was born in Germany to Polish parents, I never considered myself connected to the theme of migration until I realized that growing up between two cultures had profoundly shaped who I am.

As a child, I was often aware of being “different,” yet I did not see my Polish heritage as something positive. It was only after living in New York that I came to embrace my dual identity and understand it as a source of richness rather than division. Today, seeing younger generations confidently celebrating their multicultural backgrounds gives me a renewed sense of belonging.

This personal journey is reflected in the music. The restless first movement, in 5/8, evokes uncertainty and the feeling of existing between worlds. The reflective second movement, in 3/4, offers a moment of introspection, while the energetic finale, in 7/8, transforms the irregular pulse into a symbol of confidence and self-acceptance. What initially feels unsettled ultimately becomes a natural expression of identity.

The Polish translation of Proprium is Tożsamość (“Identity”), which is why the work bears both a German and a Polish title.

Saxophon: Christoph Enzel (www.christophenzel.de/de_de/)
Piano: Chelsey Padilla (www.chelseypadilla.com)

Recorded on July 14th, 2026 at Emil Berliner Studios (emil-berliner-studios.com)
Recording Engineer: Juan Moreno
Mastering Engineer: Sidney Claire Meyer

Cover Art: Jakub Zasada (www.jakubzasada.pl)

Distributed by Hey!blau Records (heyblau-records.com)
Labelcode 22792