Tryptique
Fern Lindzon; Colleen Allen; George Koller
Zsan Records ZSAN7458 (fernlindzon.com/tryptique)
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What a compelling mixed metaphor it is that draws you into the seductive mystique of the three parts of the painting that adorns the package (bigger, and better explicated if folded out) of this disc. Of course, that magnetic pull only serves to intensify the effect of that metaphor on its transposed metamorphosis into the music of the album Tryptique. Indeed, the pianist Fern Lindzon, saxophonist (and flutist) Colleen Allen and contrabassist George Koller employ the sublime melodic, harmonic and rhythmic subterfuge in their arrangements of jazz standards (Satin Doll) and several originals. In turn, this music finds reflection in each section of Mythology, the beckoning painting by artist Rose Lindzon, and the unique character of the group’s collaboration brings it to fruition.
I could spiral into a frenzy trying to define this music and trace its influences. Is it jazz so evasively polyrhythmic that a clear, regular beat rarely emerges? (Cue Kerl Berger’s Zeynebim or Moe Koffman’s A Flower for Amadeus). Do these oh-so-seductive arrangements of standards and originals perfectly define the creativity of the players?
The sensible thing to do would be to get out of the way and let each song do the “singing.” It bears mention that this is a perfect encounter of musicians whose individual and collective work redefines the very process of improvisation around composition. The result: overall performances that are crisply articulate, rich in hue and gesture.
- Song of Songs - Anastasia Minster; Canadian Studio Symphony Orchestra; Felipe Tellez 25-02-14
- Benedict Sheehan: Akahist - Choir of Trinity Wall Street; Artefact Ensemble; Novus NY 25-02-14
- Zibuokle Martinaityte – Aletheia: Choral Works - Latvian Radio Choir; Sigvards Klava 25-02-14
- Works for Piano and Orchestra: Prokofiev; Rimsky-Korsakov; Tsfasman - Zlata Chochieva; BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Karl-Heinz Steffens 25-02-12
- Hush: New Works for Flute and Electronics - Roberta Michel 25-02-12