Sebastian Jakobsen Testa: Reverence

Not every pianist wants to make a lot of noise. Sebastian Jakobsen Testa's Reverence is more a meditation than a jamboree. In the minimalist vein, these six tracks still have much to offer. There is a sleekness as well as a gauzy quality. The use of space between the chords and runs helps draw in the listener's attention. These are not simply background pieces; they are meant to be thoughtfully approached and listened to.

In the Windham Hill spirit, Testa looks inwards, creating ethereal moments out of delicate and sensitive phrasing. With these types of projects, a catchy tune is not at the forefront of the musician's process, though that does not mean a melody is absent altogether. "Dawnchaser" gives a livelier performance. Yet, the atmosphere and mood remain consistent with the rest of the release. Throughout, the stylistic choice of ebb-and-flow propels the tracks forward. Testa almost mimics tides, giving longer lines and then stepping back to let the composition breathe.

In terms of genre, it would be hard to nail it down. It is a blend of jazz, classical, new age, etc. It has a more contemporary feel, compared to French composers like Satie, Ravel or Debussy. Testa does not seem to be looking to the past for obvious inspiration. And though it might be easy to claim that Philip Glass could be an influence, that would be narrow-minded, as Testa is not as interested in repetition and variation. A fluidity is evident, as on "Metanoia." It moves forward mostly, if occasionally referring to previous chords or motifs.

This collection of originals differs from the pianist's Transformation release in 2021 (AMP Music & Records). That project shows signs of spatial considerations, but they are not as refined and measured. Still a good effort, this 2026 creation is perhaps superior in its focus and coherent tone. "Enlightened" is a good example as it appears simple but demonstrates a warmth which is laudable and hard to attain. Further, the controlled application of the sostenuto pedal allows for the right amount of reverberation. Any more and it could have gotten cloudy, muddled. Testa hits the right notes here. It is a strong and emotive project that delights with its often gossamer tunes.