BrazilÕs affair with jazz delivered both a singular musical style with bossa nova and one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Antonio Carlos Jobim. JobimÕs compositions are among the most well known and most... more » frequently performed in the world. Pianist Fred Hersch has had an affinity for JobimÕs music since being introduced to the well-known guitar renditions by Joao Gilberto. On Fred Hersch Plays Jobim, Hersch (who is quite an influential stylist and composer himself) focuses his attention on these wonderful compositions, performing them on solo piano. HerschÕs appreciation for JobimÕs unique craftsmanship is obvious as he explores the possibilities presented by the beautiful themes and harmonies wrought into every piece. Fred Hersch Plays Jobim finds a master musician taking on the compositions of a master songwriter and successfully communicating this well known music in a new way.« less
BrazilÕs affair with jazz delivered both a singular musical style with bossa nova and one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Antonio Carlos Jobim. JobimÕs compositions are among the most well known and most frequently performed in the world. Pianist Fred Hersch has had an affinity for JobimÕs music since being introduced to the well-known guitar renditions by Joao Gilberto. On Fred Hersch Plays Jobim, Hersch (who is quite an influential stylist and composer himself) focuses his attention on these wonderful compositions, performing them on solo piano. HerschÕs appreciation for JobimÕs unique craftsmanship is obvious as he explores the possibilities presented by the beautiful themes and harmonies wrought into every piece. Fred Hersch Plays Jobim finds a master musician taking on the compositions of a master songwriter and successfully communicating this well known music in a new way.
"This is a very accomplished, but to me rather cold, performance by the gifted Mr. Hersch, with whose work I was already fairly familiar. It is not a jazz approach to Jobim's work, however, nor is it Jazz with a Bossa Nova tinge. It is more a study of the complex harmonies which Hersch finds and developes in Jobim's coompositions. It is a lesson and an exploration and probably very enlightening to anyone wishing to study Jobim's music so deeply, but was not a satisfying experience for this listener - the fault probably being mine.
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Dazzling and deep.
Doc J | 08/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a unique tribute to Maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim: nine of his most-beloved classics rendered by the brilliant solo piano of Maestro Fred Hersch. Hersch's trademark lyricism and stunning technique bring new colors and depth to this familiar material, and his exquisite version of "Luiza" is worth the price of admission all by itself. Recorded in 2001 and only just released, this long-awaited gem is an absolute requirement for fans of the great Brazilian composer and for Hersch collectors as well."
Jobim's Music Should Not Be Played Rigidly
L. Caldas | 08/26/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Jobim's original harmonies don't allow for reharmonizations and I believe Fred Hersch, with his very fine sensitivity, understands that very well. But if one had a chance to hear Jobim's own piano playing (I am blessed to have seen him live a few times) would know that his sense of time as well as his touch are indispensable and inseparable from his compositions. Specially when performed as solo piano pieces."
Sophisticated Brazilian Music
Rainer Noch | Unkel near Bonn, Germany | 09/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One has to contradict some of the reviewers, who considered this CD as a kind of "gymnopedia" or "study". The real art is behind the music - as the real pictures of a photography are behind the photography. Other parallels could be mentioned: the real message of a film is situated behind the film. In so far, this CD is a kind of innovation moving to the music of Jobim. "Fred Hersch plays Jobim" invites the listener to a journey to Brazil. One might also ask: Where are the roots of Brazilian Music? Isn't it a melting pot of styles rooting in European, African and (South-)American tradition? Find out what the "(South-)American Tradition" really is and enjoy the CD."