Postby Marv Friedenn » Sat May 19, 2007 1:17 am
Marv Friedenn writes, "Traditionally, the right hand dominates the left; the right hand 'sings,' the left hand keeps time, holding up harmonic prompt cards which the right hand recites. Traditionally, the right hand, as it were, owns the improvisation. The left hand works for it: a walking bass; a hand in disgrace. Simply put, the hands represent social classes. The right hand, like the wealthy class, generates the ideas that allow it to maintain its position at the cutting edge of the improvisation. The left hand, like the poor, provides the 'legs' which bear the weight of the improvisation."
Eunmi Shim writes, "Although jazz pianists traditionally functioned as solo instrumentalists by making a strong use of both hands, as in stride piano or boogie-woogie, the left hand was harmonically subordinant to the right-hand melody and did not function to provide a separate melody. Tristano, however, distinguished himself by creating an independent line in his left hand, exhibiting a further evolution in his pursuit of counterpoint."
Francois Billard writes, "Le premier ['Glad Am I' based on 'Yesterdays'] a l'allure d'un grand vaisseau qui vogue majesteusement, veritable cathedrale marine, dont on se demande si elle va choisir de sombrer dans quelque abime ou gagner, d'un coup d'aile le firmament . . . .("The first song appears like a great vessel sailing majestically, a cathedral at sea, about which one wonders whether it's going to sink into an abyss or, its sails suddenly billowing, gain the firmament.") Le second titre ['This Is Called Love' based on 'What Is This Thing Called Love'] est representatif de ce dedoublement de personalite qui affect souvent les mains du pianiste: deux mains, deux tonalites, des mots qui s'echangent et de silences." ("The second song exhibits a division into two of the persona, to which often the hands of the pianist respond: two hands, two tonalities, words exchanged and silences.")
Marv wants to harness the beauty and convert it into justice. Eunmi, to present the beauty as matter of fact. Francois, to clarify the beauty.