The formidable pianist Fred Hersch will be at the Théâtre Gésu on July 5 at 6 p.m. In view of this concert, we invite you to listen to his latest solo album, Silent, Listening, released in April 2024, on the ECM label.
In the opinion of many, Fred Hersch is one of the most interesting pianists of his generation. He is a composer who favors melodies, who plays on harmonies with subtlety, who embraces the entire keyboard and even the strings inside to show us all the possible contrasts. He rarely gives in deluges of notes, like McCoy Tyner. He would rather be from the school of Ahmad Jamal or Bill Evans. This is someone who downplays grades to better emphasize their importance.
Silent, Listening embodies this desire totally. It begins with Star Crossed Lovers, by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. And it ends with Winter of my discontent by Alec Wilder.
But most of the pieces are compositions by Fred Hersch and it is particularly these creations which demonstrate the extent of the composer’s knowledge, but also his great ability to transmit emotions, just with his very particular touch of the piano.
Fred Hersch has contributed with tons of great musicians, like Bill Friesell, Esperanza Spalding and Paulo Fresu. he also taught Brad Meldhau and others.
But it is his solo albums which are the most striking and which truly sum up Mr. Hersch’s musical DNA.
In this respect, Silent, Listening is a great vintage. To use without moderation, but be attentive to the details.
