Recorded on a Steinway D Grand Piano at the Lancaster University Arts department, here we find Stephen Grew performing three fully improvised pieces (17:18, 13:22 and 22:46 long respectively) relying solely on his skill as a pianist to ensure the music is fluid and makes sense. Within the digipak there are some notes from Stephen about his relationship with the instrument, as well as Chris Jones on the decisions on microphones and their exact placement, and why, which I also found fascinating.
I have not previously come across Stephen, but he has recorded another five albums for Discus Music, and I can see I am going to have to investigate further as this is a release of considerable depth, spontaneity and style. The piano is an amazing instrument, with endless possibilities from single staccato notes to chords and sustain, and here Stephen demonstrates he is a true master as we are provided with pieces which sound as if they have been scored and rehearsed as opposed to being composed live in the moment, full of drama and passion as we get softer and quieter moments in comparison to the storm of sound he also invokes, and while space is an important aspect at some points we are swept away on a tide of music at others.
Stephen is living in the moment, being a vessel for the musical spirit to work through him as he moves around the keyboard, rippling here and being bombastic there, rarely allowing himself to take stock before moving into the next melodic (or atonal) section. This is not something which will ever find mass appeal, but for me it is a delight, and something which lovers of modern classical music would do well to discover.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://stepgrew.wixsite.com/stephengrewpianist
https://discus-music.org/