Informed, informative and a joy to watch. To coin a song title, Who could ask for anything more. Thanks to the producers and StateoftheArtsNJ for sharing this delightful / insightful look into what this brilliant pianist is up to. I'm 71 and have been following Bill Charlap's career for almost a decade. I reviewed Bill and Resnee's album the night they appeared here in Winnipeg Canada, nine summers ago at Amazon. I feel the same way today as that night: ----- Minutes ago, after their performance in our city's "West End Cultural Centre" (a small theatre with terrific acoustics) I spoke with Canadian-born Renee Rosnes and her American husband, Bill Charlap. "I came here tonight to see YOU, Bill Charlap," I said, "having seen you in the (Clint Eastwood produced) Johnny Mercer television special - and having heard you interviewed just the other day by (NYC FM & Sirius Radio show host) Jonathan Schwartz. But I have to tell you," I said, "that like marriage itself - SHE's the `better half'!" Bill took it the right way, laughing and agreeing, "She really IS!" I asked them the name of the remarkable song - a virtuosic powerhouse number "a fountain of sheer joy," I said with which they closed tonight's show; (it's track one on this CD). Repeating myself, I said it was "the most amazing, joyful outpouring of sound from two pianos that I could ever imagine! What's it called?" "Chorinho," said Renee, spelling it for me and giving it the proper Brazilian (Portugese) pronunciation. "It's the first track on our latest CD," she said. "Wish we had a free copy for you," said Bill. "No, no," I said. "I insist, on principle, on purchasing my own copy!" (which I did, a few minutes later in the theatre lobby - purchasing their last copy as they were closing for the night). "It sounded to me like a Clare Fischer composition," I said. "It was written by Lyle Mays," said Bill. "He is an amazing piano player who has worked with Pat Matheny." I told my "new favorite piano duo" that "my previous standard for judging four-handed piano performances were the teams of Hank Jones & Tommy Flanagan, and Dave Grusin with Chick Corea." "Well, we'd be honored," said Bill, "to be mentioned in company with those great players!" "Really, I think you've raised the bar," I said. Then I asked them: "Do you think the fact that you are married, actually contributes in some way to the (amazing) `dynamic' of your playing together? Bill answered first: "The intimacy between us, definitely contributes" (to what's happening on stage). Renee agreed: "The intimacy we share (pausing to find the right words) "gives us courage, I think, to hear spaces (in the music) and not feel we HAVE to fill them!" It seemed a fitting way to describe the almost telepathic empathy with which they play. For their show tonight, Renee (given first choice?) was seated at a battered old Baldwin concert grand, whose curved side was mated to a brand new Yamaha. The Baldwin sounded sweeter, I thought; the Yamaha had a more clear and concise sound - but with less `character.' [And listening now to this CD, I'm thinking --- "two Steinways from Astoria, and German mics" (Just checked the "special thanks" on the liner notes which includes kudos to "Steinway" and "to the estate of Marc Chagall" (for the album cover). The recording quality is simply splendid, and the tracks here - like tonight's `live' performance -- provide the listener with such a lovely balanced program; no two songs had the same tempo. Their rendition of Jule Styne's "JUST IN TIME" (not included here) was the best piano performance of that show-stopper from "Bells Are Ringing" that I have ever heard. When I mentioned Jonathan Schwartz and how much I enjoy his daily, satellite radio show, Renee said, with a big, beautiful smile, "One of the songs (here) was written by his father (Arthur) - "Dancing in the Dark." Listening to it now, an hour later, I'm thinking Arthur Schwartz would have LOVED Bill & Renee's rendition. "New" melodies (new to my ears) featured here on this CD (and performed so magnificently on stage tonight) include "Wayne Shorter's tribute to his wife," ANA MARIA, as well as Gerry Mulligan's "LITTLE GLORY" -- two beautiful, strong melodies I'd not heard before -- and cannot imagine being rendered more beautifully than you'll hear on this CD. I note that this album closes with their show opener tonight - Frank Loesser's NEVER WILL I MARRY. Never will you hear (I predict) better `four-handed' piano virtuosity than here, in this magnificent "DOUBLE PORTRAIT." Mark Blackburn Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Wonderful words and thoughts about life, friends, admiration of others .... Mr. Charlap, you are large ... and your music reflects this special quality .... every note and phrase is you. Thanks for the video ... enjoyed immensely.
