Sylvie Courvoisier & Jacques Demierre: Deux Pianos

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: March 1, 2001

Under ordinary circumstances, many of us would guess that a pairing of two improvising pianists, performing in parallel, might translate into an all out blitz, duel or slugfest. Well, that supposition represents the antithesis of this newly released recording, simply titled Deux Pianos. Here, pianists Sylvie Courvoisier and Jacques Demierre render intuitive call and response type dialogue via hushed tones, animated choruses, rhythmically charged block chords and intricate harmonic invention.

The pianists pursue demure dreamscapes amid counterbalancing melodies along with the occasional - prepared piano - style implementations. With the piece titled, “Axe”, the duo produces ominous sounding motifs, atop subtle declarations and quaint lyricism. Throughout, the musicians exercise restraint as they establish a communiqué and mode of attack that is based upon concisely stated or fragmented sequences. Essentially, neither of these fine musicians cross paths or in simpler terms, step all over each other.

Deux Pianos represents a dynamic learning process, where the musicians exchange fleeting notions on the fly. However, the beauty lies within the artist’s clever reformulation of applied or suggestive concepts that they expand into substantial frameworks for additional explorations.

Intakt Records

Track Listing: Arrache, Pendulaire, Haut-le-coeur, Attorno, Tremolio, Incruste, Axe, Etendu, Termination, Instant, Quasi, Ecorce, Intime, Contre, Woo, Alto, Sonne, Strette, Treize, Stock

Personnel: Sylvie Courvoisier; piano: Jacques Demierre; piano

Record Label: Intakt Records
Style: Modern Jazz