Recorded June and September 2002.
The program consists of choice items from Kuhn’s own pen. And arranger-conductor Carlos Franzetti does a fine job of drawing out the stately, graceful quality of the pianist’s compositions. … With his gorgeous tone and keen sense of texture, Kuhn doesn’t so much solo over Franzetti’s arrangements as mold them into slowly evolving soundscapes. In such capable hands, the extended slo-mo treatment – which might otherwise prove lethally boring – becomes paradoxically suspenseful. You can’t help but wonder what, if anything, will happen next.
More than anything, however, Kuhn carries this album by the sheer beauty of his sound. Few other pianists, regardless of genre, can tease such an evocative range of timbres from their instrument. Kuhn’s lower register is as dark and rich as Belgian chocolate, and his upper register has the light, translucent quality of ice-cold champagne. It’s enough to leave you hungry for more.
Alexander Gelfand, Jazziz |
ARTISTS
Steve Kuhn- piano
String Ensemble
Carlos Franzetti- conductor
David Finck- bass
Violins- Krista Bennion Feeney, Elizabeth Lim-Dutton, Richard Sortomme, Karl Kawahara, Barry Finclair, Helen Kim, Robert Shaw, Carol Pool, Anca Nicolau
Violas- Sue Pray, Vince Lionti, Karen Ritscher
Celli Stephanie Cummins, Richard Locker, Joshua Gordon |