ANJA LECHNER / FRANÇOIS COUTURIER - Lontano
ECM 085 7705
Anja Lechner (violoncello); Franҫois Couturier (piano)
Recorded October 2019
The musical partnership between Lechner and Couturier is now firmly established, and perhaps with this recording entering a new phase of their development as the duo significantly broaden their repertoire with original compositions, improvisations and incorporating music by Anouar Brahem, Giya Kancheli and Henri Dutilleux.
As is their wont, the album is peppered with improvised pieces, often short in duration, but seemingly complete in themselves. Often these spontaneous interludes will lead naturally from one idea to sow the seeds for another, with Lechner's solo cello improvisation, 'Shadow', being picked up by Couturier and bringing forth the piece 'Arpeggio'. These miniatures also conjure up other references, often unintentionally, as with the title track and its veiled reference to the composer Mompou and Gurdjieff on 'Hymne' whose work they approached on their Moderato cantabile recording from 2013.
Since the earlier recording, the duo has found a renewed and deeper understanding of each other's playing and this has brought with it a lighter and more relaxed feeling to their music. This is best heard on the longer pieces here the melodies and interaction can be explored at greater length. The duo's reading of oud maestro Anouar Brahem's 'Vague - E la nave va' is sublime, the tempo is perfect and the delicacy and lyricism of both cello and piano makes for a quiet and reflective moment of beauty and substance. And this is what makes this partnership so special. This ability to take the material of others as well as their own compositions and through trust and understanding make music that is of the moment yet acknowledges the past, present, and also what is yet to be created.
These longer explorations also yield exceptional music in 'Miniture 27 ' by Giya Kancheli where the pace is taken slowly with each note and phrase carefully placed in a tantalisingly haunting piece that was originally written for the film 'Tears Were Falling' by Georgian director Georgiy Daneliya, and in Ariel Ramírez’s beautiful zamba, 'Alfonsina y el mar'.
In this well-balanced programme, the duo also play original compositions that sit perfectly alongside the work of others, and this is much in evidence in Franҫois Couturier's 'Flow', with Lechner's expressive arco cello lines tell the story and bring the melody to life against the backdrop of the piano accompaniment. At one point roles change in the most subtle manner, as the piano takes the lead and the gently plucked strings of the cello lend a delicate support. If a relaxed, calm sense of lyricism prevails throughout this set, then Couturier's composition 'Tryptic' bring forth a new dynamic. Dark and brooding, the music adds another dimension to the duo's work in another fascinating performance.
With Lontano, Lechner and Couturier once again show the depth and range of their musical oeuvre with an album that moves on from the earlier album, yet retains a freshness and vitality that is truly engaging.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 085 7705
Anja Lechner (violoncello); Franҫois Couturier (piano)
Recorded October 2019
The musical partnership between Lechner and Couturier is now firmly established, and perhaps with this recording entering a new phase of their development as the duo significantly broaden their repertoire with original compositions, improvisations and incorporating music by Anouar Brahem, Giya Kancheli and Henri Dutilleux.
As is their wont, the album is peppered with improvised pieces, often short in duration, but seemingly complete in themselves. Often these spontaneous interludes will lead naturally from one idea to sow the seeds for another, with Lechner's solo cello improvisation, 'Shadow', being picked up by Couturier and bringing forth the piece 'Arpeggio'. These miniatures also conjure up other references, often unintentionally, as with the title track and its veiled reference to the composer Mompou and Gurdjieff on 'Hymne' whose work they approached on their Moderato cantabile recording from 2013.
Since the earlier recording, the duo has found a renewed and deeper understanding of each other's playing and this has brought with it a lighter and more relaxed feeling to their music. This is best heard on the longer pieces here the melodies and interaction can be explored at greater length. The duo's reading of oud maestro Anouar Brahem's 'Vague - E la nave va' is sublime, the tempo is perfect and the delicacy and lyricism of both cello and piano makes for a quiet and reflective moment of beauty and substance. And this is what makes this partnership so special. This ability to take the material of others as well as their own compositions and through trust and understanding make music that is of the moment yet acknowledges the past, present, and also what is yet to be created.
These longer explorations also yield exceptional music in 'Miniture 27 ' by Giya Kancheli where the pace is taken slowly with each note and phrase carefully placed in a tantalisingly haunting piece that was originally written for the film 'Tears Were Falling' by Georgian director Georgiy Daneliya, and in Ariel Ramírez’s beautiful zamba, 'Alfonsina y el mar'.
In this well-balanced programme, the duo also play original compositions that sit perfectly alongside the work of others, and this is much in evidence in Franҫois Couturier's 'Flow', with Lechner's expressive arco cello lines tell the story and bring the melody to life against the backdrop of the piano accompaniment. At one point roles change in the most subtle manner, as the piano takes the lead and the gently plucked strings of the cello lend a delicate support. If a relaxed, calm sense of lyricism prevails throughout this set, then Couturier's composition 'Tryptic' bring forth a new dynamic. Dark and brooding, the music adds another dimension to the duo's work in another fascinating performance.
With Lontano, Lechner and Couturier once again show the depth and range of their musical oeuvre with an album that moves on from the earlier album, yet retains a freshness and vitality that is truly engaging.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
