Listen & tracks

3 of 13 tracks have a preview · 9 works · 68:55

1 Prologue Tony Gould 2:41
Suite for two pianosMartial Solal 3 movements22:30
1. 2 one 5:11
2. 3 two 12:18
3. 4 three 5:01
5 Skating in Central Park John Lewis 5:48
6 Skyline David Ward-Steinman 3:09
7 Under Capricorn David Ward-Steinman 4:19
8 Poinciana Buddy Bernier 6:53
9 Milano John Lewis 3:08
Concert piece for two pianos: In MemoriamJohn Lewis 2 movements18:41
1. 10 part I (improvisation) 9:59
2. 11 part II 8:42
12 Epilogue Tony Gould 1:46

Their enjoyment is plain in the studio photograph from the Eaglemont sessions. Tony plays a Yamaha C5 grand on the left; David plays the Move Yamaha C7 on the right, the instrument Tony chose for the studio and the one heard on most Move piano recordings.

In the artist’s words

Tony and I had performed improvisatory concert music together before, but only played four-hands jazz informally. My wife Patrice encouraged us to record a CD of two-piano jazz, so when I happened to be performing in New York while Tony was visiting, the idea of doing a CD together came up again. I paid a quick visit to my jazz publisher, MJQ Music, and asked managing editor Paul Schwartz if he had anything for two pianos. He set me free to browse in the piano files and we soon unearthed two previously unrecorded concert jazz pieces, a wonderful suite by the great French pianist and composer Martial Solal and a two-piano version of John Lewis’s In Memoriam, which he had previously recorded with his Modern Jazz Quartet. Suddenly we had our focus and Paul granted us exclusive rights to the first recordings. The rest fell into place rather quickly.

Rehearsing and recording with Tony was an extraordinary experience for me, and one of the most joyful times in my musical life. We had great fun exploring these pieces, and the symbiotic serendipity of playing off each other’s ideas took us both, I think, to places we hadn’t been before. We hope the high spirits that went into making this album will be evident to you, the listener. Enjoy!

— David Ward-Steinman

This recording came about through a long friendship between David and myself, and through David’s marvellous discovery in New York of two significant works for two pianos, previously unrecorded. They are both unusual and written in quite idiosyncratic musical language by two wonderful pianist-composers. Thus they are very different in content and form. The common factor is that they both allow for improvisation, which of course is the lifeblood of many musics and musicians around the world.

There is an analogy between the contrasting nature of the two works and our playing styles, which in their own way bring an uncommon if not unique character to the performances. Ultimately, the success of all good music-making lies in a common sense of purpose, the ability to listen, respect for the music, and the sense of adventure so crucial to the spirit of improvisation.

It was for both of us a total joy to make the premiere recording of the two major pieces, along with the other shorter works, among them a couple of originals, some played as solos, others on two pianos, and a few familiar works by other composers. It is worth noting that outside the strictly written sections of the Solal and Lewis pieces all the playing was approached in a totally spontaneous way. It is a magical process. We hope that those who listen to this recording will experience some of the sensation which comes with this kind of music-making.

— Tony Gould

Reviews

Gould, one of Australia's finest pianists, teams up with American composer Ward-Steinman . . . what's striking is the way two pianos merge as one. Even when they engage in the question and response, as on Martial Solal's Suite for two pianos, you hear it as one voice. That's the mark of a great combination

— Leon Gettler, The Age - Green Guide

Long regarded as one of Australia's greatest ever Jazz musicians, Tony Gould on this recording is joined by David Ward-Steinman and the result is music-making of continual excellence . . . The beautifully played shorter pieces, including two attractively jaunty works by Ward-Steinman add to the delight of this splendidly recorded disc.

— John Barns, 3MBS FM Libretto

Undoubtedly the 'find' of the album is the Suite for Two Pianos by the veteran French jazz pianist, Martial Solal, like the Lewis piece unrecorded till now...Assurance and experience pour out of this album, anyone expecting to hear virtuosity for its own sake will be disappointed as these two players have been around too long to indulge in cheap tricks. They approach their material with respect and thoughtfulness but never do proceedings become dry or academic. They have been clearly recorded by Martin Wright and Vaughan McAlley of Move Records, who provide a recorded ambience well-suited to two players who specialise in shades of touch, not overwhelming power playing. Kudos to all for getting it all to disc, especially the Solal.

— Paul Sarchich, Music and Vision

Artists

John Lewis

composer

John Aaron Lewis (1920 – 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer best known as the musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Tony Gould

piano

Pianist and composer Tony Gould is one of Australia’s most respected musicians. His career has spanned jazz and other improvisatory forms as well as traditional and contemporary classical, and for decades he has stood at the forefront of music education in Australia.

David Ward-Steinman

piano

David Ward-Steinman is Professor of Music and Composer-in-Residence at San Diego State University, where he directs the Comprehensive Musicianship and graduate composition programs.