Sphere

幅広いイディオムと幅広いレパートリーを個人の表現力の範囲内でカヴァーする能力を持ち、ニューヨーク・タイムズ紙に「過剰な演奏なしに崇高なピアノ・トリオの作品を作っている。彼らの作品には、脈動があり、長い即興のフレーズでそれは塊となり、生きているよう」」と評されるボボ・ステンソン トリオの『Contra La Indecision』以来5年ぶりの新作!

オリジナル曲やスカンジナビアの作曲家によるメロディを通して、繊細で特異な道を切り開いたこの傑出したグループは、『Sphere』で特にしなやかな錬金術を証明する。スウェーデンのピアニストは、ECMとマンフレート・アイヒャーとの数十年にわたるコラボレーションによって、様々な音楽的信条を独自のブレンドで共存させ、発展させ、洗練させた。2008年の『Cantando』以来、ピアニストの仲間であるベースのAnders JorminとドラマーのJon Faltは、Boboの柔らかいタッチと無限のインタープレイへの欲求にとって、理想的な音楽パートナーとなっている。「 僕らには "レディメイド "の演奏方法はないんだ。その時々の状況に合わせて演奏する。それが真骨頂。同じことを二度とやらない、そのことに執念を燃やす、それが一緒に演奏する喜びなんだ」と本作に関してもボボ・ステンソンはコメントしている。本作は2022年4月にルガーノのAuditorio Stelio Moloで録音。

【パーソネル】Bobo Stenson(p) Anders Jormin(double-b) Jon Falt(ds)

Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson released Underwear, his initial trio offering for ECM, in 1971. His lineup then included bassist Anders Jormin and drummer Jon Christensen. That incarnation developed a deeply intuitive language over three decades that resulted in Reflections and War Orphans. With 2008s Cantando, Jon Falt became their permanent drummer. Sphere, this incarnations fourth studio outing, is a mirror image of 2018s Contra la Indecision. The former offered a small handful of re-envisioned classical works interspersed with original compositions. Sphere is the reverse. It is primarily comprised of works by 20th and 21st century composers including Per Norgard, Sven-Erik Back, and Jean Sibelius, and offers two originals by Jormin. The set is bookended with Norgards "You Shall Plant a Tree." Composed in 1967, it is one of the composers few "songs"; the original version was set to words by Danish poet Piet Hein. A five-note piano motif mimics the hymnal cadences as Falt rumbles brushes across his tom-toms and Jormin paces with a countermelody. The trio adds quiet improvisation as Falt uses all the materials in his kit. The closing version balances it with an authoritative use of the themes lyricism in melodic group improv that channels the blues. "Unquestioned Answer" is Jormins tribute to Charles Ives. A minor-key bass figure is underlined by Stenson. Falt bridges the space between. After a plectrum solo, the bassist employs his bow, accompanied by sparse, dirgelike piano chords and the drummers padded mallets. Jormins "Kingdom of Coldness" is anything but. He offers the circular six-note theme arco. Stensons lush chord voicings flesh out the melody before Falt moves it afield as a post-bop ballad. There are two works here by Back, the truly spectral yet magnificent tonal study titled "Spring" and the albums hinge cut, "Communion Psalm." On the latter, Stensons right-hand introduction emulates a chorales voices -- albeit with a shade more intensity and melodic interplay. Jormins brief, canny bass solo serves to frame the trios interrogative work. Alfred Jansons "Ky and Beautiful Madame Ky" was arranged by Jormin; he goes the extra mile to highlight the composers jazz background. The inquisitive melody is offered in fragments by Stenson and in double time by Falts brushes. The bassists heft is the engine as the trio starts to swing. Sibelius "Valsette Op. 40/1" is rendered abstractly. As Stenson drops chordal shards, the drummer adds syncopated accents; he uses everything from the rims of his kick drum to muted, rubbed cymbals. Jormins tones, from high-pitched squeals played arco to rumbling low-end plectrum drones, provide impetus for harmonic and rhythmic invention from the group. The bow returns in the final third as the trio employs modalism and jazz balladry to illuminate the tunes haunting mystery. Fifty-two years after releasing his ECM leader debut, Stenson and his trio are still deep in the throes of discovery. ~ Thom Jurek