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Chris Speed / Chris Cheek / Stephane Furic Leibovici: Jugendstil
ByBassist, Stephane Furic Leibovici, composes all of the music for this date. It is defined by the descriptive grammar of the earthdeliberate and flowing organically and continuously until its imperative dénouementeach time the song is sung by the instruments employed to play it. The "Carter Variations" are a completely fresh take on the musical ideas of Elliot Carter, the classical composer who laid out his own music with a high degree of understanding of dissonant sound and rhythmic complexity. It unfolds as the relationship between sound and silence developswith dynamic tensionthroughout the composition.
"Therego" is next; another sophisticated track that ripples and rushes as the musicians pace its development in the sonic landscape. By the time "The Music of Tranquility" begins to unfold, it becomes clear that the genius of this record is to bring togethercertainly in this trackinstruments that are at opposite ends of the tonal spectrum and that breathe with texture of disparate texture of reeds and woodwinds. Chris Speed's clarinet jousts good-naturedly with Chris Cheek's soprano and tenor saxophones. Furic plucks delicately, creating accents that punctuate the contrapuntal sonic blanket ascribed to the idea of tranquility.
Other compositions, especially "Daffodils," describe one or more scenes from a pastoral setting. Where contrasts come to light as a new sound, emerging as the music is propelled ever onward. "Les nuits de la Chapoulie" is another feature with magnificent interaction between reeds and woodwindsa tantalizing skipping sense of improvisation and suggested soloinga contradiction of sorts. It is as if, as Furic states, "This is a night ride, walking the earth...how light and fresh is the morning air."
A better trio could not have interpreted the music. There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between the players. Their performances here are beyond the interplay that describes great trios. Rather it is as if the challenging compositions have been given a life all their own by the brilliant interpretations of the improvisers who play them.
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Track Listing
Carter Variation - I; Carter Variation - II; Carter Variation - III; Carter Variation - IV; Carter Variation - V; Therego; A Music of Tranquility; Daffodils; Three Kinds of Folks; Feuillage des Gestes; Les nuits de la Chapoulie.
Personnel
Chris Speed
saxophoneChris Speed: clarinet; Chris Cheek: tenor and soprano saxophones; Stephane Furic Leibovici: double-bass.
Album information
Title: Jugendstil | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: ESP Disk