Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

47 mins

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Hard-Bop

Label

Riverside

Page Count

8

Performer

Wynton Kelly, 1931-1971, Kenny Burrell, 1931-, Paul Chambers, 1935-1969, Philly Joe Jones, 1923-1985

Date Recorded

1958-01-31

Release Date

1989

Review

The composer Thomas Adès reveals himself as a genuinely excellent interpreter of 20th century piano literature in this 72-minute recording. What is especially refreshing is the breadth of music performed, featuring a gambit reaching from the well-rendered, conservative Norwegian Peasant Dances of Edward Grieg to Jatékók, the ‘games' series by late-20th century avant-garde iconoclast György Kurtág. The performer seems equally at home with this music and all the works in between. Comparatively obscure works such as the opening How I Spent My Summer by Castiglioni are performed with great care, as are better-known works by Stravinsky. There is a noticeably pan-European approach to the work, incorporating Czech, Russian, Italian composers, while excluding the normally highlighted nations France and Germany. As a glance at any recording collection will demonstrate, these countries will never suffer from under-representation, making Adès' selection here an excellent addition to any collection. The inclusion of the American Conlon Nancarrow's Three Canons for Ursula adds further to the already splendid variety offered on this recording. The relentless variety compounds the value of the disc, as does the strength of the playing; Adès is a natural musician with a rich tone and sensitive to each work's needs. Initial listens compel one to congratulate the sound technicians, who collaborated at Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk in 2000 to render a fine example of sublime digital recording. Everything about this product is of the finest merit, while taking some chances. The diversity of the program, including Busoni and the almost forgotten Stanchinsky, preempts cautionary questions such as ‘is his piano music good?' and ‘who is that?' But this recording is more than a lesson or brain food. Everything on the disc is beautiful and immaculately performed. ~ John Keillor, All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, Hard-Bop, Hard-Bop

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Hard-Bop