Ola Gjeilo, piano – Stone Rose – 2L

by | Dec 20, 2007 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews | 0 comments

Ola Gjeilo, piano – Stone Rose – 2L multichannel SACD 2L48, 51:18 **** [Distr. by Qualiton]:

(with guest artists: Tom Barber, Flugelhorn; David Coucheron, violin; Johannes Martens, cello)

This is a contemplative and melodic collection of mostly piano solos by Norwegian pianist Gjeilo, who has performed around the world as is especially taken with New York City, as shown by the titles of several of the tracks here.  The recording was made in the acoustics of a church in Oslo and the piano tone is very natural, as is the placement of the various guest performers.  Tom Barber’s solo on North Country II is striking and a fine demo of the advantages of well-recorded surround sound even for a simple ensemble such as this.

In his notes the pianist mentions that both Keith Jarrett and Glenn Gould have been uppermost as influences. Sorry, but I couldn’t hear the slightest connection with either one, but that doesn’t detract from a well-performed and recorded album of classically-influenced new age music.

TrackList: Snow in New York, North Country, Michelle, The Line, The Hudson, Roxbury Park, Stone Rose, January, Sidewalks, Manhattan, April, Madison, Sienna, North Country II, Serenity.

 – John Sunier

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