Label: ECM Records, 2021

Personnel - Nik Bartsch: piano

Recording solo for the first time in 20 years, Swiss pianist/composer Nik Bartsch has here a wonderful return to his much appreciated modular pieces, which are no more, and no less than functional templates where minimal, repetitive elements are assembled in a ritualistic exploration.

A groovy framework emerges right away on the opener, “Modul 58_12”, a conjunction of two pieces previously and separately recorded with his groups Ronin and Mobile. An obsessive note is contextualized by the consistent left-hand harmonic underpinning, which later morphs into a frantic motion. At that stage, there’s a slowly-built melody coming out of his right hand, carving out an impromptu lyricism into the rhythmic structure. Some prepared piano playing contrasts in tone with dreamlike ambiances that are not averse to create suspense.

The architectural rigor in Bartsch’s sonic orbit is also found on “Modul 55”, whose sweepings across the strings of the piano push us into a stationary bubble of conscious rumination. The sound is more gracious than gloomy, and the scattered percussion gives the piece a special touch.

“Modul 26” was also tackled in the past by Ronin and Mobile, on the 2004 albums Rea and Aer, respectively. Its relentless variations find a favorable balance here through a sort of dancing choreography between harmony and melody.

Both excellent mood-shifters, “Modul 13” and “Modul 5” were retrieved from the 2002 solo album Hishiryo Piano Solo. The former boasts an airiness that becomes sequestered by mystery; the latter starts off with compulsive muted notes that lead to an undiminished hectic and near-mathematical propulsion framed with contemporary expressionism. Modern classical influences affiliate with this modernistic discipline.

With a penchant for timing and space, Bartsch makes you lean in to catch every pattern he plays. Entendre is a stirring listen.