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  | CHRISTIAN BALVIG 6-TET ~ MUSIC FOR HUMANS
AMP 022 (Barcode: 662578831167) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2016 - 2017 Released: 2018
This is the debut album by Danish pianist / composer Christian BalvigFind albums by this artist and his sextet, which is in fact an amalgam of a classic Jazz piano trio and a Classical string trio. In addition to Balvig the other members of the sextet are: bassist Jens Mikkel MadsenFind albums by this artist, drummer Siv Oyunn KjenstadFind albums by this artist, violinist Louise GormFind albums by this artist, violist Mikkel SchrieberFind albums by this artist and cellist Maria EdlundFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Balvig.
As expected from the lineup the music is a Jazz-Classical Fusion project, based on highly melodic compositions, which Balvig masterly weaves, and incorporating the string trio layer, which emphasizes the meditative nature of the music. At times the music becomes almost chamber and spiritual in nature, and its slow paste and limited dynamics inspire reflection and contemplation. Stylistically the music floats between cinematic music and European Jazz-Classical explorations, with clear Nordic influences.
The individual performances are all spotless and inspired, yet restrained and quite minimalistic at times. Balvig plays single note successions, beautifully supported by Madsen, which are taken over by the strings and ornamented into more harmonically expanded structures. Kjenstad is present only on the more Jazz oriented swinging piano trio parts, which are relatively limited. The music is obviously an ensemble effort and the cooperation between the ensemble members is the essential ingredient contributing to the success of the result.
Overall this is a very interesting project, which takes some effort to get into, but creates an intimate connection with the listener, taking him on an imaginary ride through an imaginary musical landscape. This album and the other album Balvig released on the excellent Norwegian label AMPFind albums on this label Records, called "Associated With WaterFind albums with this title", present a talented and dedicated pianist / composer, who is searching to expand his musical horizons within the contemporary European instrumental music, close to Jazz but not limited to its defined areas and terminology. Definitely worth investigating!
| | Updated: 07/04/2018Posted: 07/04/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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