CD ECM Records Vassilis Tsabropoulos: The Promise

2009

Vassilis Tsabropoulos - pian solo

Tsabropoulos has made some fine albums for ECM, which might be seen to divide into overtly jazz-oriented work and more classically oriented and rhythmically suspended meditations. However … the pianist is capable of dissolving any such putative dualisms in a refreshing transmutation of perspectives which sets matters of motion and rest, rhythm and reflection in fresh light. Such is the case throughout the 55 minutes of this beautifully recorded – and thoroughly recommended – set of limpid solo meditations.
Michael Tucker, Jazz Journal



The versatile Greek pianist has already outlined a broad arc of musical possibility in his recordings for ECM – from post-Bill Evans jazz with Arild Andersen to explorations of Gurdjieff’s nomadic sound-world with Anja Lechner. “The Promise” picks up the implications of his earlier solo recital “Akroasis” (“Hypnotic and mysterious, shimmering like ancient mosaics” – The Independent), but is more rigorously composed, carefully casting arpeggios into deep pools of silence. All pieces are Tsabropoulos originals, with the exception of “Djivaeri”, a Greek traditional tune. The album was recorded in 2008 in the resonant space of Athens’ Megaron Concert Hall, with Manfred Eicher producing.