Friedrich Gulda (1930-2000) is well-known as a unique artist who went beyond the rigid boundaries of classical music. His recorded legacy focused his reputation as a performer of works by the major classical composers (especially his excellent Beethoven Piano Sonatas cycles), though he considered jazz and improvisation as an inseparable part of his musicianship. In this album, pianist Adam Kośmieja attempts to do what Gulda tried to do in life: Combine musical eras, styles, and traditions.
Gulda the composer wrote in jazz language, but his forms look back to the past; We have a prelude & fugue, Sonatine in full Sonata form, and variations. Only two of the works can be considered as free in style, “Aria” and “Depression”, of which the first is over sentimental and too reminiscent of John Field’s lesser Nocturnes. “Depression” excellently represents its title, and is one of the more original composition here.
Kośmieja chose wisely to open the album with the “prelude & Figure”, a highly original wink at Bach’s well-templated clavier. The pianists shows a good sense of humor and superb rhythmic control in the Fugue. Notice the carful balance between the hands and how the difficult bass line never overtakes the clarity of the contrapuntal writing.
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The Sonatine is a lovely piece that, although enjoyable, seems too occupied in borrowing from many jazz styles (and gives few hints at classical works). Nothing wrong with the interpretation, though. Kośmieja takes full advantage of the large Fazioli model F308 he used for this well-engineered recording. Also worth mentioning is the esthetically pleasing booklet, which contains a telling assay on Gulda by his son, Paul.
The albums finishes with a very nicely performed rendition of Beethoven’s last Piano Sonata, No. 32 (Op. 111), an expertise of the late Gulda. The central variations, so reminiscent of later swing and boogie-woogie, interestingly correlates with the styles of the original compositions in this album, and it’s a good thing Kośmieja doesn’t over-plays them to prove a point. An enjoyable, well-played album then, that will satisfy jazz and classical music lovers alike.
Tribute to Gulda
Adam Kośmieja – Piano
Warner Classics, CD 9029653220
Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 111 – Recommended Comparisons
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