Jazz pianist Rodriguez is also active in classical circles. He is
an in-demand teacher at piano camps covering both genres. In this
program he tackles the Fritz Kreisler standard Liebesleid, and in an
eight-minute improvisation manages to swing it while retaining a slow
tempo and long melodic line. The liner notes go into his ideas
about improvisation and how it once was also important to classical
performance but no longer is. His “reharmonizations” of tunes
such as John Coltrane’s Naima reveal his classical background.
Balance of the three instruments is fine, with the drummer keeping a
subtle touch rather than overemphasizing as so many drummers do.
Sonics are good but I must admit I first auditioned this without
realizing it was a SACD.
Tracks: Corridor, Prelude to a Kiss, Inside, Naima, It’s Not That Dark, Liebesleid, Within the Line, Spring is Here.
– John Henry
