STEVE KUHN TRIO — Pavane for a Dead Princess (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Steve Kuhn, accompanied by David Finck and Billy Drummond, explore classical works by a number of top composers from the 19th and 20th centuries on this Japanese release, though they are used as a launching pad for improvisation. Maurice Ravel's "Pavane for a Dead Princess" is recast as a soft samba, also incorporating a bit of an earlier standard that was derived from the French Impressionist's piece, "The Lamp Is Low." Chopin is obviously one of Kuhn's favorite classical composers, as three of his features, highlighted by a dreamy setting of "Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2." He brightens the tempo of Claude Debussy's "Reverie" while retaining its lyricism, while slowing Johannes Brahms' "Lullaby" to a crawl and demonstrating how a master jazz pianist utilizes space as an element of improvisation. Classical purists are always upset with jazz arrangements of "their" music, but anyone who loves both musical worlds will appreciate Steve Kuhn's thoughtful arrangements of music that has easily stood the test of time. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    I'm Always Chasing Rainbows~Fantasy Impromptu 7:22
Composed By – F. Chopin
2    Pavane For A Dead Princess 6:26
Composed By – M. Ravel
3    Moon Love~Symphony #5 2nd Movement 6:49
Composed By – P. Tchaikovsky
4    One Red Rose Forever~Ich Liebe Dich 5:32
Composed By – E.Grieg
5    Swan Lake 6:09
Composed By – P. Tchaikovsky
6    Nocturne In E♭ Major Op9, No2 6:38
Composed By – F. Chopin
7    Reverie 8:09
Composed By – C. Debussy
8    Prelude In E Minor Op28, No4 5:43
Composed By – F. Chopin
9    Full Moon And Empty Arms~Piano Concerto #2 3rd Movement 5:51
Composed By – S. Rachmaninov
10    Pavane 6:32
Composed By – G. Faure
11    Lullaby 3:37
Composed By – J. Brahms
Credits :
Bass – David Finck
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – Steve Kuhn