An enchanting duo collaboration between saxophonist Reto Suhner and pianist Fabian M. Mueller. Schattenspiel possesses a level of virtuosity to where improvised statements appear to be strategically coordinated, and where the free flow of ideas can sustain a composed, coherent dialog. It’s why this album can be supremely engaging and yet so damn sublime.
Some tracks, like album-opener “Labyrinth of Time,” hint at serenity, but twitter with life just enough to upset the state of tranquility. There’s also the gorgeous melody of “Arcanum,” ephemeral and mysterious as a curl of smoke and “Crux,” which sees Suhner singing a simple song to the accompaniment of Mueller’s ominous tone.
Motion plays a big role in many of the album tracks. What begins as a peaceful state will suddenly ignite with an impassioned volatility, and what opens with sharp, decisive actions might conclude with a long, flowing glide. “Le Coq” is a tiny frenzy that ends with a peaceful sigh, “Blaze a Trail” darts about with a determined insistence, and “Cascade,” starts as a tangle of unconnected threads and ends as a lovely confluence of melody.
The album ends with “Das Schattenspiel,” a sublime tune that shifts gears throughout, and illustrates that the essential quality of Schattenspiel‘s conversations is revealed in the words, not the tones.
Just plain beautiful.
Your album personnel: Reto Suhner (soprano & alto saxes) and Fabian M. Mueller (piano).
Pianist Mueller is also a member of Augur Ensemble, whose 2013 release The Daily Unknown falls into similar territory as Schattenspiel. Beautiful music that is both heartbreaking and cerebral.
Nov 25 2014
Recommended: Reto Suhner & Fabian M. Mueller – “Schattenspiel”
Some tracks, like album-opener “Labyrinth of Time,” hint at serenity, but twitter with life just enough to upset the state of tranquility. There’s also the gorgeous melody of “Arcanum,” ephemeral and mysterious as a curl of smoke and “Crux,” which sees Suhner singing a simple song to the accompaniment of Mueller’s ominous tone.
Motion plays a big role in many of the album tracks. What begins as a peaceful state will suddenly ignite with an impassioned volatility, and what opens with sharp, decisive actions might conclude with a long, flowing glide. “Le Coq” is a tiny frenzy that ends with a peaceful sigh, “Blaze a Trail” darts about with a determined insistence, and “Cascade,” starts as a tangle of unconnected threads and ends as a lovely confluence of melody.
The album ends with “Das Schattenspiel,” a sublime tune that shifts gears throughout, and illustrates that the essential quality of Schattenspiel‘s conversations is revealed in the words, not the tones.
Just plain beautiful.
Your album personnel: Reto Suhner (soprano & alto saxes) and Fabian M. Mueller (piano).
Released on Between The Lines Records.
Jazz from the Zürich, Switzerland scene.
Available at: Amazon
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By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2014 Releases • 0 • Tags: Between The Lines Records, Fabian M. Mueller, Reto Suhner, Zurich (Switzerland)