Like Keith Jarrett, Richie Beirach is a pianist with strong classical inclinations, who has investigated several crossovers into European formal music before, setting the work of Bartok and Federico Mompou in jazz contexts. This collaboration between Beirach, violinist Gregor Huebner and bassist George Mraz not only explores seven Monteverdi themes but a variety of baroque interconnections, including JS Bach, Palestrina, and pieces from Pergolesi's Stabat Mater.
For the most part this is a very refined and meticulous series of chamber-music delicacies. The opener, Monteverdi's poignant Lamento d'Arianna is played absolutely straight off the dots; but the first Stabat Mater piece edges into swing halfway in, Beirach's sprightly chordal improvising style gambolling over the majestic Mraz's walking bass, and the excellent violinist Huebner taking off in muscular manner. It is over 20 minutes in before anything approaching the raw or abstract happens, and in general there is a plangent tone to the disc - but the playing itself is beautiful. - John Fordham
Tracks
01. Lamento D'Arianna (Claudio Monteverdi)
02. Responsorium #5 (Carlo Gesualdo)
03. Eja Mater Fons Amoris (Giovanni Battista Pergolesi)
04. Chant (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)
05. Ben Mio, Rimanti In Pace (Claudio Monteverdi)
06. Orfeos Lament (Claudio Montevewrdi)
07. Fantasy On Orfeos Lament (Claudio Monteverdi)
08. Fantasy On Fili Mi, Absalon (Heinrich Schütz)
09. Dialog Orfeo Messanger (Claudio Monteverdi)
10. Around Dialog Orfeo Messanger (Claudio Monteverdi)
11. Sancta Mater, Istud Agas (Giovanni Battista Pergolesi)
12. Siciliana (Johan Sebastian Bach)
13. Fantasy On Lamento D'Arianna (Claudio Monteverdi)
RICHIE BEIRACH piano
GEORGE MRAZ bass
GREGOR HUBNER violin
Music arranged by Richie Beirach, Gregor Huebner and George Mraz
ACT Music – ACT 9412-2