Marie-Josée Simard & François Bourassa – Les chemins du concerto

This is a splendid album. Les chemins du concerto (The paths of the concerto) lead us through inspiring trails, charted by some of the best composers in Quebec/Montreal jazz: Christine Jensen, Marianne Trudel, Jean-Nicolas Trottier, and François Bourassa himself. Well supported by writing that borrows as much from improvisation as from classical composition, these works have induced in me a need for frequent relistening, so much does their beauty and rich complexity call for it. I hope it will do the same to you. 
The great technical and interpretative mastery of the two soloists allows the different characters of the six pieces to fully flourish. Delta Variation by Jensen dances pleasantly, in a spirit of lightness and cheerful playfulness. The suite in 3 movements by Bourassa’s, Jazzette concertante, transitions from an insistent and determined personality, culminating in Reichian energy, in the 1st movement (En émoi – In turmoil) to an intimate and composed atmosphere in the 2nd (Reflexive – Reflective), then to a sense of urgency, even nervousness, in the 3rd (En exil – In exile). The latter also proposes the use of the prepared piano in the introduction. A detail that enhances the relationship with Marie-Josée Simard’s marimba.

De résonances et d’échos (Of Resonances and Echoes) by Marianne Trudel is my favourite track on the album. The piece evolves in an aura of sonic magic that cleverly combines contemporary writing and impressionism, a Webernian delicacy, in a brighter light, with a contrapuntal discourse that reveals Bach as a source of reference. Trudel balances the timbres of the vibraphone and the marimba with those of the piano with great mastery, which are thus brought into dialogue in a remarkable exchange of equals. It’s magnificent.

The finale is left to the brilliant Jean-Nicolas Trottier and his piece Spirale, which swirls effectively, injecting a dose of dizzying energy into the program.

Bourassa and Simard play well together and transcend the primary natures of their respective musical worlds, jazz and classical, improvisation and score. It must be said that neither of them is a stranger to collaborations and stepping outside their comfort zones.

An album that we listen to with a satisfied smile.