A programme consisting of music from the likes of Robert Schumann and Georg Friedrich Handel should really be some kind of anathema to jazz per se, but what keeps it from being so on Vienna Dialogues is the deft interplay and deep musical understanding that exists between soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman and pianist Bobby Avey. In as good an example as any of how the music goes round, it's these very qualities that call to mind the work of the Jack Montrose/Bob Gordon Quintet, amongst others, for all of the idiomatic differences. By the same token, the duo's reading of Debussy's "Fleur Des Bles" works like a dream because both players exhibit such a firm grasp of that composer's unassuming way with a melodic line.
Mendelssohn's "May Breezes Op. 62 No.1" is paradoxically given a positively autumnal reading here, though the mood is one of celebration of the passing of time and perhaps the immutable rhythm of the natural world, as opposed to anything forlorn. A similar mood also marks the duo's approach to "Immer Leiser Wird Mein Schlummer Op. 105 No.2," by Johannes Brahms. Here however the impression is filled out by the abundant affinity the two musicians have for this music in particular. Would it be beyond the realms of possibility for them to record the Brahms clarinet sonatas at some point in the future? We can but dream.
If this is something of a departure on record for Liebman in particular, it's just another string to his bow, in the best sense of that term, even when he has recorded so often in this duo format in the past. The results on Vienna Dialogues are steeped in a kind of melancholy beauty that makes for satisfying listening.
Track Listing
Romance Op. 94 No. 2; Etude in E Flat Minor Op. 10 No. 6; May Breezes Op. 62 No. 1 (from
"Song without Words"); Immer Leiser Wird Mein Schlummer Op. 105 No. 2; Sonata #6;
Tr
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.