Guillaume de Chassy Faraway So Close

Faraway So Close is a trio offering from pianist Guillaume de Chassy, whose previous recording, Piano Solo (Bee Jazz, 2007), was completely engrossing in its trenchant beauty. This album projects the same depth, sincerity and directness of communication as the former one, but in a trio setting. Music is mysterious in the manner in which its affects are felt. The piano, with its mechanical action, adds a further layer to the puzzle, as Jon Balke made clear on Book of Velocities (ECM, 2008). De Chassy's keyboard touch is remarkable for its liquid clarity and supports his seeming endless supply of ideas, both melodic and harmonic.

"It has always been difficult for me to describe in music those inner states that psychoanalysis explores in words. I hardly dared to do so, until some keys were given to me by the assiduous frequentation of Barbara and Schubert's melodies. Barbara, Schubert: can one dream of better guides to summon, in so few notes, the whole palette of feelings and emotions? To tell the intimate without complacency, with this fragile mixture of abandon and modesty? Better educated now, I waited for my moment to come. It is during the strange period which connects the springs of 2020 and 2021 that unexpected musics appeared from me. They came at the right time to give me news. It was enough to put them in shape, by letting myself be crossed by the images they aroused. Thus were born these Interior Scenes. I confess that I play them above all for myself…but I leave the door open. Thanks to my faithful artistic director, Frédéric Loiseau and my writing companion, Pierre-François Blanchard."

'Classical and jazz music are my two'musical lands that I ve been striding along the boundaries for a long time. The Concerto for piano in which the soloist improvises beside a symphony orchestra represents a decisive step in my career. This album is dedicated to the pianist Brigitte Engerer with whom I had the honour to collaborate with for 4 years and who remains a living source of inspiration and enthusiasm.' Guillaume de Chassy After 9 albums to his credit, Traversées is the first symphonic album of Guillaume de Chassy. Recorded in the mythical studio La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, it s composed of two parts…