The American Project: Abrams, Tilson Thomas

by Yuja Wang, Teddy Abrams, Louisville Orchestra

Overview

Pianist Yuja Wang and composer/conductor Teddy Abrams were classmates at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and had long wanted to work together. The sympathy shows in this 2023 Deutsche Grammophon release, which perhaps turned out even better than the performers had hoped. Abrams' 11-movement Piano Concerto is a standout among the jazz-flavored works that crowd American concert programs (and increasingly those beyond) every year. The work is neither simply swing jazz transferred to an orchestral medium nor a classical piece that uses jazz as a flavoring. Rather, Abrams develops the work in a unique way structurally from an opening swing-boogie core, weaving the piano into the texture (and letting it blossom in four solo cadenzas) while also broadening the language to include Latin jazz and gospel/rock rhythms. It is a fresh take, and other presenters beyond Abrams' Louisville Orchestra would do well to take a listen. However, the real triumph here is that of Wang, who shows total mastery of these vernacular American idioms. Sample the first of the four cadenzas, where this pianist sounds for all the world as though she stepped out of a piano jazz bar. The entire work is varied and hugely enjoyable, and there is also a nice solo piano curtain-raiser from the pen of Michael Tilson Thomas that approaches the jazz-classical fusion from a different direction. A fine job from all concerned; really, the only possible complaint is that the recording was inspired by a concert that also included Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and with the program clocking in at sub-42 minutes, it would have been wonderful to hear Wang essay that related piece as well. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	03/17/2023
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948644780
Rank:	7149

Tracks

1. You Come Here Often? for piano solo
2. Piano Concerto~Overture. Swing
3. Piano Concerto~Cadenza I
4. Piano Concerto~Exposition
5. Piano Concerto~Orchestra Break
6. Piano Concerto~Exploration
7. Piano Concerto~Cadenza II
8. Piano Concerto~Relaxed
9. Piano Concerto~Solos
10. Piano Concerto~Cadenza III
11. Piano Concerto~Return. Swing
12. Piano Concerto~Cadenza IV & Coda

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Yuja Wang   Primary Artist,Piano
Teddy Abrams   Primary Artist,Conductor
Louisville Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Silas Brown   Mastering Engineer
Michael Tilson Thomas   Composer
David Frost   Mixing,Editing,Recording Producer
Arnold O'Neil   Photography
Angelika Meissner   Executive Producer
Barbara Pease Renner   Piano Technician
Eva Reisinger   Booklet Editor
Julia Wesely   Cover Photo,Photography
Teddy Abrams   Composer
Catherine Pisaroni   Art Direction
Anja Hoppe   Design
Nikki Kawamura   Product Manager
Nicole Albring   Creative Coordinator
Revna Karacabeyli   Product Manager
Paul Kilbey   Liner Notes
Chris Kincaid   Engineer