‘9/10’ – Guitar Techniques (UK)

‘Very successful, very special, very good’ – Akustik Gitarre (DE)

‘Beautifully melodic, wistful and technically brilliant’ – Guitarist (UK)

‘Between the amazing playing of Adam, the beautiful orchestration, and the excellent composition,
Second Life became a masterpiece’ – Fingerstyle Guitar Journal (USA)

‘Chopin in Palma’s vision on guitar is highly unusual in the best sense both sonically and beautiful! 
A dedicated work of passion! Bravo!‘ – Al Di Meola

RECORDING SESSION

  ‘Second Life’ is the first-ever album featuring both an acoustic guitar and a string orchestra on each track.

Acoustic guitarist, Adam Palma, is accompanied by one of the greatest chamber orchestras of our times, The Chamber Orchestra of Polish Radio AMADEUS, led by famous conductor, Agnieszka Duczmal (BBC Music Magazine Awards 2023).

This album is a very personal record, an intimate look at music and life from the perspective of a man who ‘regained’ his life after waking from a long coma. Recovery gave Adam time to reflect, to review his own musical roots, and to appreciate his life more deeply. We will hear the songs Adam grew up listening to such as known film themes, a patriotic song, Chopin’s compositions (never before performed on the acoustic guitar), and even an old scout song. In addition to this, Adam’s original compositions capture the true essence of his Polish soul.

All the arrangements have been written by Adam Palma and the album was orchestrated by the outstanding Polish film score composer Krzesimir Debski.

On this album, classical music and jazz are magnificently intertwined against the distinctive harmony of the acoustic guitar and string orchestra.

Emerging from 44 days of induced coma in 2020, I had to rebuild myself both physically and mentally. Although this was certainly my darkest period, it allowed me to reassess my entire life and figure out what my next steps would be after the doctors said I might not be able to regain the strength in my fingers and muscles after the coma. I pondered what it was about music that had led a ten-year-old boy living on a housing estate to beg his parents to buy him a guitar. As a child, I didn’t realise how greatly I was inspired by Polish traditional music. Towards the end of the seventies, music from other countries was rarely broadcasted. It wasn’t played on the radio and modern recordings couldn’t be found in music stores. I largely owe my musical memories to scouting, fairs featuring folk music, and television – where classical music (mainly Chopin) was often played.
On ‘Second Life,’ I would love to share with you some original compositions in which I’ve tried to express the raw emotions I felt during my recovery and the new-found energy I have for life. I present you with a very personal musical tale, full of unexpected twists and surprises, just like my life.

prof. Adam Palma

MUSIC

LIVE PERFORMANCE