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ERR002 |
This summit between Dutch pianist Albert van Veenendaal and Italian pianist Fabrizio Puglisi, recorded at Amsterdam’s famed Bimhuis, presents an exciting program of sixteen cuts where the duo present their instruments’ fullest ranges. The results speak to their virtuosity, creativity and lively personal playing styles that mix technique equally with a sense of joy. As for the straight-up piano pieces, the opening bounce of “Hop” is a tricky, yet buoyant excursion that demonstrates their collaborative strengths, particularly due to their call and response, deconstruction of melodic threads and biting humor. For further examples, the rollicking “Short Fuses” has the pianos literally rocking with tenacious force, while they stomp excitedly on “To Alan Lomax” and oscillate wildly on “Earthquakes.” The duo’s sense of freedom and fun really takes best shape on the pieces that prominently feature prepared work, such as the plucky percussiveness of “Eppur Si Muove,” the whispers of “Balthus E Il Gatto,” the emotive tranquility of “Elegy For Russian Brides,” the puckish “Traps And Targets” and “Gaffers Song.” Other high marks include the stunningly beautiful extended track, “Gazz,” where eerie, meditative soundmaking is on tap, as well as the obtuse “Vertical Arrival” or the nervous energy of “Misfits.” Though whimsical throughout, there is no better example than the four part “Quartre Petites Histoires,” a fantasia for the toy piano work of Puglisi. With the tinkling “Il Chant Un Petit Chanson” reminding of little mice scurrying across the floor, the merry-go-round approach of “Il Mange Une Pomme,” the rumbling tinkles of “Il Neige” or the gentle “Ou Est Il?,” it proves difficult not to listen to this short suite repeatedly. Some insist that, like most instruments, the piano’s technical boundaries can only be stretched so far and, further, that we’ve already heard it all. For its farthest reaches in terms of pure soundmaking and instrumental dexterity, van Veenendaal and Puglisi present a wonderful example of such range. cadence, july 2007, by Jay Collins farnè, musica jazz nr. 5, may 2007, translated by sara ercoli |
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Fabrizio Puglisi - prepared, unprepared and toy piano |
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