CD Most přes oceán / CD Bridge Across the Ocean

Bridge Across the Ocean is like a voyage through a sonic museum. Every piece is permeated with collaboration that is in love with a deep trust of "the emergent." Liquid Impressionism, unabashed Romanticism, and mischievous play in bitonality and postmodern conversation carry the listener through worlds of penetrating light, compassionate shadows, previously unseen colors, nobility, and pure grace. One can only wonder: "How can this be the work of two artists? I hear four hands, yet their energy manifests as one generous musicking presence.

Harold McKinney, Professor Emeritus at Appalachian State  University

A NOTE FROM AUTHORS:

I first heard the playing of pianist and composer Ann Park Rose at a music improvisation festival in Canada in 2016. It was an emotionally strong and unique experience for me. Her musical expression was very close to me from the moment I first heard her. I was intrigued not only by her way of piano playing - both solo and in chamber music settings - but above all by her genuine musicality, composer's invention and spontaneity. These things emanated from her piano playing so naturally. I soon realized that her musical thinking and feeling were very close to mine. I suggested to Ann that we should try improvising together - with two pianos. She agreed, and I enjoyed the rare opportunity of experiencing a unique feeling of interconnection and symbiosis as we continued to improvise together. After returning home to Prague in the following months I thought more and more about the idea of making a recording of improvisations on two pianos. Ann was enthusiastic about this idea, and so in January of 2017 we met for the second time, this time at the State University of New York, in Fredonia. As the microphones listened, we formed musical impressions together for three days. The tracks on this CD are our favorite selections from our time together.

Jiří Pazour

When I first heard Jiri improvising, I was blown away by the beauty and soul of his imagination. When I had the opportunity to improvise with him, I was excited but also uncertain of how duo improvisation could work. Harmonizing two different people's feelings, thoughts, ideas (not to mention 20 combined fingers!), was a scary thought. But as we began to work together a kind of magic started to happen. My worries we rereplaced by wonder, excitement and joy in making music with Jiri. Two separate thoughts became one. We found each other, not through sight but by the heart. We were creating something so incredible which could not be described in words. I was inspired as we opened new creative doors together. As we improvised many great musical ideas poured out. One of us would introduce something and the other would pick up upon it and spin it into some thing even more wonderful. At other times we would zone in to each other, creating and speaking the same language on the piano. It felt like a miracle! Jiri's visit to Fredonia for our recording was the greatest treat for me. We were able to put on record many of the special musical experiences we shared. It's amazing to think that some one half way across the world would prove to be a kindred musical spirit. I am so excited about our musical journeys together in thefuture!

Ann Park Rose

Bridge Across the Ocean - tracklist:

01 - AZUROVÁ KRAJINA / CYAN LANDSCAPE

02 - VEČERNÍ KARAVANA / EVENING CARAVAN