Label: ECM Records, 2024

Personnel - Tord Gustavsen: piano; Steinar Raknes: double bass; Jarle Vespestad: drums.

Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen reunites his trio, featuring bassist Steiner Raines and drummer Jarle Vespestad, for Seeing, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed album Opening (ECM, 2022). This new release, his 10th on the ECM label, includes six Gustavsen originals, three choral songs, and a traditional Norwegian church hymn.

It’s exactly with the latter that the album kick off—“Jesus, Gjor Meg Stille” oozes emotion from its gentle, pastoral, and gospel sweeps, initially evoking the feel of an Arabic chant. It feels deep, quiet, and spiritual. Gustavsen’s liturgical pianism is beautifully layered over the moving backdrop provided by Raknes, who goes from pedaling bowed bass to pizzicato, and Vespestad, unwavering in his drum flux.

Gustavsen’s compositions “The Old Church” and “Seeing” both exemplify his signature introspective style. The former, featuring impressive cymbal work and a reflective bass solo, waltzes through a reflective atmosphere, while the latter tune’s pattern takes us to spacious introspection, full of pathos. The pianist, who serves up a poetic performance with technically astonishing skills, also drives his “Seattle Song” with affectionate attention and profound intimacy. Yet, my favorite piece is “Extended Circle”, whose melodic expression rimes with soulfulness, brushes are employed for a refined velvety sound, and a bass solo fills our chest with woody resonance and superb note choices.

Gustavsen also brings his classical impressions of J.S. Bach into his playing style, delivering “Christ Lag in Todesbanden” as an emotionally charged rubato meditation, while “Auf Meinen Lieben Gott” introduces a subtle yet engaging groove. The album also features Lowell Mason’s 19th-century English chorale “Nearer My God, To Thee”, interpreted with ample space and elevated by the nuanced tonalities of Vespestad’s cymbals, an extra layer of splendor.

One feels lighter when losing ourselves in the melodies, chords, and rhythms of Seeing, a work filled with outstanding musicianship, restraint, and openness. If you haven’t yet acquainted yourself with the soothing music of Gustavsen, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Jesus, Gjor Meg Stille ► 06 - Extended Circle ► 09 - Nearer My God, To Thee

Label: Pyroclastic Records, 2023

Personnel - Sylvie Courvoisier: piano; Cory Smythe: piano.

This collaboration between Sylvie Courvoisier and Cory Smythe - two visionary pianists and improvisers - is a true knockout. A voyage of discovery that groups the challenging classical masterwork of Igor Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring (it was composed in 1913, based on Pagan myths), and Courvoisier’s lavish contemporary response to that work, titled Spectre D’un Songe. Brilliantly articulated, the immaculate four-hand pianism results in a vertiginous music that embraces bitonality with high-quality reinvention.

Stravinsky’s movements split into two spectacular parts - “The Adoration of the Earth” and “The Sacrifice” - the last of which being more restrained in tone but pivoting into a vigorous if cinematic interplay that is simultaneously precise and adventurous in its locomotions. The volatile first part departs from an initial motif to plunge into pedal-like grooves that sound like speedy trains, while other times it visually emulates a feather spinning in the air under a spring breeze. With each section conveying passion and mystery, this is a pleasantly surprising work that illustrates the full range and capabilities of Courvoisier and Smythe’s technique at the keyboard.

Clocking in at nearly half-an-hour, “Spectre d’un Songe” flows within an eerie atmosphere. Arpeggiated maneuvers create paradoxes of different magnitudes; patterned cascades of sound (including prepared piano) allow polyrhythmic probings engraved by sudden low-pitched strokes that wake us up from a hypnotic state of reverie; and profuse harmonic cycles invite free improvisation as well as rich timbres and undaunted intervals to linger on.

Both pianists know their roles in this progressive, symphonic opus, blending their elements to perfection. This is a deeply musical experience and a must-have album for both avant-garde and contemporary classical devotees.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Rite of Spring Part I: The Adoration of the Earth ► 03 - Spectre D’un Songe