Musique américaine pour guitare et piano

Description

The jazz pianist with a classical background, Enrico Pieranunzi, and the classical guitarist who is also a jazz enthusiast, Stefano Cardi, have come together around a repertoire of pieces by American composers transcribed and arranged by the pianist. The program is thoughtfully constructed, alternating works by a composer from the United States with those of South American composers, covering the first half of the 20th century. This duo of musicians renews the repertoire for this type of formation, which, as noted in the booklet, was popular among a handful of musicians in the Viennese scene of the early 19th century before falling into disuse. The ensemble presented here is certainly appealing. These short genre pieces exert a simple charm filled with delicacy and grace. Popular aspects, often linked to dance rhythms, combined with refined, elegant, and sparkling writing give them a refreshing quality. The combination of the guitar and piano timbres, with playing that is both striking and sharp as well as melodic and tender, is genuinely enjoyable. The two performers demonstrate a finesse of interpretation that touches and delights us. We rediscover certain more or less known pieces in a new light, and we discover others that are equally exciting. (Laurent Mineau)