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La Marseillaise

Laszlo Gardony

Label: Sunnyside Records
Released: 2019
Duration: 40
Views: 1,325

Tracks

1, Revolution (L. Gardony; inspired by "La Marseillaise" by Rouget de Lisle) 2, O Sole Mio (E. di Capua / A. Mazzucci arranged by L. Gardony) 3, Four Notes Given (improvised piece by L. Gardony) 4, Misty (Erroll Garner) 5, Quiet Now (D. Zeitlin arranged by L. Gardony) 6, On the Spot (improvised piece by L. Gardony) 7, Mockingbird (L. Gardony) 8, Bourbon Street Boogie (L. Gardony)

Personnel

Laszlo Gardony

piano

Additional Personnel / Information

Laszlo Gardony - Solo Piano

Album Description

Liner Notes by Laszlo Gardony: This album contains the music I performed at Berklee’s 2019 Keys Fest piano festival. The tunes on the CD are in the same order in which they were performed. As always, I was mindful of the overall arc of the concert so that every tune, as well as the concert as a whole, would both uplift and entertain. My first piece, “Revolution,” was inspired by “La Marseillaise”, which is the sound-embodiment of some of the noblest aims of humankind: fighting for freedom and equality; and resisting tyranny, cruelty, and the trampling of human dignity. “La Marseillaise” is one of history’s most iconic and powerful revolutionary songs – its spirit is needed as much today as it was during the time it was created. Moving on to love, I arranged the beloved Neapolitan song “O Sole Mio” in a modern, personal way so that it would be infused with my own sense of love, caring, and energy. The first improvised piece, “Four Notes Given”, was based on four notes. I asked the audience to provide me with four notes. Then I started to play, using the notes as the inspiration for an improvised piece. I wanted the audience members to be genuinely present and to partake in the excitement of creating music. The result turned out to be one of my favorites of the concert – heartfelt and moving, with an intricate orchestration. The next selection, “Misty”, digs deep into both the tradition and possibilities of innovation. I rearranged “Quiet Now”, one of my favorite standards written by Denny Zeitlin, with a gospel/blues flavor so that the emotions this tune inspires in me would have a fitting framework for listeners. “On the Spot” is another improvised piece created at the concert – this time without any initial input from the audience. As the improvisation unfolded, it tapped into a raw energy that “premeditated” music can’t possess, and developed into a well-shaped and powerful piece. Two of my originals, the lyrical “Mockingbird” and buoyant “Bourbon Street Boogie”, rounded out the set. Usually played with my band, the selections took on entirely new lives as solo piano pieces. I truly hope you’ll enjoy the music.

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