A New Third Stream: Yitzhak Yedid

Starting with Charlie Parker With Strings (Verve), its various editions featuring tracks recorded 1947-1952, a trend emerged where frontline instrumentalists found it quite the accomplishment to record a "with strings album—notable examples include trumpeter Chet Baker and saxophonists Art Pepper, Stan Getz and Jim Snidero.

But the use of strings does not in itself make for third stream jazz. In the 1950s more serious experimentation was made, most particularly by Schuller. But the results were still unfinished torsos of art. Rather than continuing in this direction, jazz veered into the avant-garde and found a soul mate in much 20th Century classical music. It is this eutection that Israeli pianist and composer Yitzhak Yedid hones in on and develops.

Yitzhak Yedid
Myth Of The Cave
Between The Lines
2003

The Myth Of The Cave is a calming salve. It is music with the spirit of Jimmy Giuffre's trio recordings Free Fall (Columbia, 1962), Emphasis, Stuttgart 1961 (hatART), and Flight, Bremen 1961 (hatART) without the same degree of improvisation. Yedid's compositions making up Myth are just that: compositions. They are not spontaneous improvisations, though some improvisation is included.

Yedid's care in the concept and execution of this music is obvious in the way its sharp edges are softened and its angular elements smoothed, and his work compares well with modern composer Morton Feldman's clarinet music. Both composers produce spatially constructed compositions with much strategically placed white space. This aesthetic, coupled with the complexly conceived (both musically and metaphorically) movements, together create and shape Myth. Yedid and clarinetist Francois Houle produce a soothing environment that is floated above bassist Ora Boasson-Horev's ethereal foundation. This is music of peace and quiet.

Yitzhak Yedid
Reflection Upon Six Images
Between The Lines
2004

Reflection Upon Six Images is musically antithetical to Myth Of The Cave. Where Myth is a picture of serenity, Reflection is one of angst and anxiety. This is disquieting music made that much more so by the contributions of violist Galia Hai. The viola is the butt of many jokes in classical music circles, but nevertheless produces a deep melancholic tone that can be coaxed into an expression of madness. These six reflections allow Hai and clarinetist Francois Houle to plumb the musical depths of a belching, sulfurous creative unconscious.

Reflections is a demanding but ultimately rewarding listening experience. I was listening to it for review while reading Elie Wiesel's Auschwitz memoir, Night. The album perfectly conjured up the skeletal landscape described by Wiesel. Yedid produces music that proves that art not need always be appealing, only true. The quartet here more approximates George Crumb's Black Angels (various labels, 1972-2003) looking backwards. This is difficult music to describe, much less understand, but it is important music.

Tracks and Personnel

Myth Of The Cave

Tracks: First Movement-The Crystal Hope; Second Movement-Non Believer's Prayer; Third Movement-Imaginary Ritual; Fourth Movement-Liturgical Sorrow; Fifth Movement-Delusion Reality.

Personnel: Yitzhak Yedid: piano; Francois Houle: clarinet, bass clarinet; Ora Boasson-Horev: bass.

Reflection Upon Six Images

Tracks: First Image; Second Image; Third Image; Fourth Image; Fifth Image; Sixth Image.

Personnel: Yitzhak Yedid: piano; François Houle: clarinet; Galia Hai: viola; Ora Boasson-Horev: bass.

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