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Nikolai KAPUSTIN (1937-2020) Blueprint Frank Dupree Trio |
CAPRICCIO C5439 [68:03]
Frank Dupree Trio
Frank Dupree (piano), Jakob Krupp (bass), Meinhard ‘Obi’ Jenne (drums)
Rec. Hans-Rosbaud-Studio, Baden-Naden, Germany 15-16 and 21-22 December, 2020
Nikolai Kapustin has been described as ‘A Russian in Gershwin’s clothing’ and on listening to this disc it is immediately understandable as to why. Like Gershwin Kapustin was classically trained (by Alexander Goldenweiser among others) and never considered himself a jazz pianist though as he explained he had to become one to create and play his compositions. He also interestingly said that he had no interest in improvisation inasmuch as he didn’t want or seek to make each outing of his compositions a new and unique creation. Rather when he did improvise in the sense of moving away from the original theme and extemporising upon it, he would capture the new ideas on paper and incorporate them into the composition as a whole. One might react by saying that is what classical composers do and of course that is correct but it happens rarely in jazz as the art of improvisation is a key element that makes jazz so unique as a genre of music because you never quite know what you will hear while classical composers wanted to guarantee that you would always hear the same work. Of course, interpretations sometimes challenge that desire and you only have to compare some of Leopold Stokowsky’s recordings with those of other conductors to see that speed can make a difference.
Kapustin may not have considered himself a jazz musician which is extremely self-deprecating but for those listeners who, like me are not either, he certainly sounds like one. And though some have described him as having a distinctly ‘Russian’ sound combining Stravinsky and heavens knows who else into the mix he sounds as much a genuine jazz musician without any special national musical trait attached as any other jazz piano composer.
All the selected pieces that German pianist Frank Dupree has put together for this disc were originally written for piano solo. Frank has cleverly used the piano’s left hand plus harmonic structure to form the double bass part while drummer ‘Obi’ Jenne does improvise upon the other two musicians’ product. All three musicians are at the top of their game here and make the most powerful case for the chosen material. The result is a hugely enjoyable disc of brilliantly scintillating jazz that has a smile on its face from beginning to end. I had come across the composer last year and enjoyed what I heard but can honestly say that the addition of bass and drums has lifted the compositions to a new level and made them more enjoyable and I believe will attract a wider audience. This can only do the reputation of Nikolai Kapustin a great deal of good and open up his other compositions to greater public interest. One such that could benefit is his chamber music for flute (see Naxos Complete Chamber Music for Flute with Immanuel Davis together with a second flutist, two cellos and piano) which while jazz inspired is still firmly within the classical music genre and another, Sun Hee You’s playing of his piano sonatas, etudes and variations on Piano Classics.
21 of the 23 tracks on the disc are original compositions by Kapustin while the closing pair are his tribute to Ary Barosso’s Aquarela do Brasil and Kenny Dorham’s Blue Bossa. This is a delightful disc that will surprise and thrill every jazz piano fan who might not have thought a product of Soviet times could compose such life-affirming jazz.
Steve Arloff