Solo Piano Music of ANDRÉ JOLIVET -Philip Adamson

ANDRÉ JOLIVET
Piano Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2; Cinq Danses rituelles

Philip Adamson (piano)

Centaur- 2641(CD)
Reference Recording - Sonatas: Wayenberg (EMI); Lemmens (Rene Gailly)

REVIEW 1 by Jed Distler
Bartók's spirit penetrates the aggressively jagged terrain outlined in André Jolivet's two piano sonatas, respectively composed in 1945 and 1957, each comprising three movements. Their rhythmic asymmetry and polytextural elaboration require a high degree of virtuosity and stamina on the part of any artist brave enough to attempt to comply with their demands. The Canadian pianist Philip Adamson channels his formidable keyboard prowess toward making this essentially dour and grim music sing out with remarkable variety of texture and dramatic shape. He also turns in powerful performances of the Five Ritual Dances in their original solo piano version (as opposed to the composer's later and better-known orchestral versions).

....Adamson's impressive pianism makes me want to know more of his work.

REVIEW 2 by Don Satz
This is a highly dissonant French piano music that most listeners would find hard to fathom and enjoy. Yet, it has many of the features found in tonal music: introductions, identifiable themes, thematic development/variation, development sections, codas, and strong rhythmic patterns. What it doesn’t possess is our traditional sense of lyricism. If that hurdle is overcome, the music gains in its clarity of purpose and architecture.

Jolivet was most influenced by his teachers Paul Le Flem and Edgard Varese. Le Flem taught Jolivet all the existing musical forms, while Varese imparted his knowledge and sense of rhythm and acoustics. Essentially, Jolivet’s music sounds like a mix of Varese, Bartok, and the mysticism of the late Scriabin works. There are also jazz influences and serialist techniques interspersed throughout this works. The programmed music on the disc tends to take two directions; one is the tough-as-nails variety, the other is mysterious and confusing as to intentions.

Philip Adamson is a sure guide through Jolivet’s music. He captures the indecision of the mystical elements as well as the hard severity elsewhere encountered. Perhaps most important, he has the rhythmic patterns well in hand including the jazz and Latino influenced rhythms.

The sound quality of the disc is outstanding – crystal clear with wonderful depth and detail emanating from the lower voices. The booklet notes are in English and French with ample information and insight concerning Jolivet’s sound world and the programmed works on the disk.