NIK BÄRTSCH - Entendre
ECM 352 8110
Nik Bärtsch (piano)
Recorded September 2020
The Swiss pianist has been working for many years on his concept of Modul music, and the polymetric compositions that he writes for both his electric band Ronin, and his all acoustic ensemble Mobile. It is therefore somewhat of a surprise, albeit perhaps one with an air of inevitability, that Bärtsch should produce a solo piano album developing his theories further in a more insular setting.
For those familiar with the work with Ronin and Mobile, it would appear that the pianist's compositions are often given life and impetus outside the confines of the structure by the very nature of the group interaction, and indeed humanise the rigidity of the charts helping the music breathe. Without this group interaction does the music stand up to such close scrutiny? This has perhaps crossed Nik Bärtsch's mind too, and he has over the last few years been investigating his concepts in sporadic solo concerts. By committing these pieces alone on this recording he has now opened up his theories still further and allowing the listener to scrutinise his music at close quarters.
The piece 'Modul 26' offers up a rather bleak unrelenting take on the composition. Full of intricacies and detail the pianist seems reluctant to move away from the structure and rhythmic impetus of the score and although fascinating in itself is can become overwhelming and static. Elsewhere the pieces flow much more organically, with Bärtsch working inside the piano as well as outside to bring a wide variety of colours and dynamics to the music.
The opening track, 'Modul 58_12' combines two compositions, 'Modul 58' from the most recent Ronin album, Awase and 'Modul 12' from Continuum by the acoustic ensemble, Mobile and provide a dazzling display from the pianist laying out a superb case for how his Ritual Groove music can be applied to a solo performance that incorporates rhythmic and thematic development with improvisation in equal measures. This is immediately followed by 'Modul 58', which can be heard on Ronin's 2010 release, Llyrìa, is given an equally intense examination with its gently undulating thematic development and subtle use of playing inside the piano. A quietly powerful performance. This methodology is also deployed on a boldly stated reading of 'Modul 13' , never hurried but simply allowed to unfold.
By contrast the pianist brings a strong rhythmic presence to bear on 'Modul 5' and some explores both melodically and rhythmically the extremes of the piano's registers even , dare i say it, with some playful lines in the right hand. The album closes most satisfactorily with 'Déjá-vu Vienna' , a melodically pleasing yet sombre ballad.
In conclusion, how these pieces are played with Mobile or Ronin should not be compared with the solo versions performed here as they are designed and arranged to exist independently of each other, and with Entendre, Nik Bärtsch states his case in a most convincing manner.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 352 8110
Nik Bärtsch (piano)
Recorded September 2020
The Swiss pianist has been working for many years on his concept of Modul music, and the polymetric compositions that he writes for both his electric band Ronin, and his all acoustic ensemble Mobile. It is therefore somewhat of a surprise, albeit perhaps one with an air of inevitability, that Bärtsch should produce a solo piano album developing his theories further in a more insular setting.
For those familiar with the work with Ronin and Mobile, it would appear that the pianist's compositions are often given life and impetus outside the confines of the structure by the very nature of the group interaction, and indeed humanise the rigidity of the charts helping the music breathe. Without this group interaction does the music stand up to such close scrutiny? This has perhaps crossed Nik Bärtsch's mind too, and he has over the last few years been investigating his concepts in sporadic solo concerts. By committing these pieces alone on this recording he has now opened up his theories still further and allowing the listener to scrutinise his music at close quarters.
The piece 'Modul 26' offers up a rather bleak unrelenting take on the composition. Full of intricacies and detail the pianist seems reluctant to move away from the structure and rhythmic impetus of the score and although fascinating in itself is can become overwhelming and static. Elsewhere the pieces flow much more organically, with Bärtsch working inside the piano as well as outside to bring a wide variety of colours and dynamics to the music.
The opening track, 'Modul 58_12' combines two compositions, 'Modul 58' from the most recent Ronin album, Awase and 'Modul 12' from Continuum by the acoustic ensemble, Mobile and provide a dazzling display from the pianist laying out a superb case for how his Ritual Groove music can be applied to a solo performance that incorporates rhythmic and thematic development with improvisation in equal measures. This is immediately followed by 'Modul 58', which can be heard on Ronin's 2010 release, Llyrìa, is given an equally intense examination with its gently undulating thematic development and subtle use of playing inside the piano. A quietly powerful performance. This methodology is also deployed on a boldly stated reading of 'Modul 13' , never hurried but simply allowed to unfold.
By contrast the pianist brings a strong rhythmic presence to bear on 'Modul 5' and some explores both melodically and rhythmically the extremes of the piano's registers even , dare i say it, with some playful lines in the right hand. The album closes most satisfactorily with 'Déjá-vu Vienna' , a melodically pleasing yet sombre ballad.
In conclusion, how these pieces are played with Mobile or Ronin should not be compared with the solo versions performed here as they are designed and arranged to exist independently of each other, and with Entendre, Nik Bärtsch states his case in a most convincing manner.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
