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Anat Fort: And If

By Hrayr Attarian
October 22, 2010
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That pianist Anat Fort is an intensely lyrical musician is apparent throughout And If; her poetic lyricism acts, in fact, as sort of a unifying theme for the entire work. A hauntingly beautiful and sublime musical opus, the disc opens with her modal composition; "

Paul Motian

drums
1931 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Motian," a tribute to her previous band-mate, where her minimalist improvisation is reminiscent of

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans.

The trio goes through ten of Fort's own pieces, ranging from the sonata-like "En If" and the blues-tinged "Minnesota," to the avant-garde sounding "Something 'Bout Camels," which starts with the urgent groan of

Gary Wang

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Wang's arco bass, setting the mood for Fort's melancholic tale of notes and silent pauses that wax and wane, supported by the Middle Eastern-style percussion of drummer Ronald Schneider.

Wang's sound on the bass is not only the perfect anchor for Fort's compositions, it also adds an essential dimension to the collective improvisation.

Other highlights of this superlatively intense and thought-provoking record include the angular and jagged "Nu," propulsively driven by Schneider, and "Clouds Moving," which starts off as a single concept that Fort builds with angular rhythms and melodic ideas, layer upon layer, into a multifaceted and complex piece.

Schneider proves himself to be a versatile drummer, seamlessly switching between soloing innovatively and acting as the heartbeat of this trio. The disc closes with a more serene and mellifluous version of the opening track.

Wang and Schneider have been playing with Fort for a decade, and are consequently in tune with the pianist's, anticipating each other at every turn to form one of the most perfect trios since

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett got together with

Jack DeJohnette

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack DeJohnette and

Gary Peacock

bass, acoustic
1935 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Peacock.

This is an intellectually satisfying yet emotionally charged CD, the sounds of which echo in the memory long after the disc has stopped spinning.

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Track Listing

Paul Motian (1); Clouds Moving; En If; Some; Something 'Bout Camels; If; Lanesboro; Minnesota; Nu; Paul Motian (2).

Personnel

Anat Fort

piano

Anat Fort: piano; Gary Wang: double-bass; Roland Schneider: drums.

Album information

Title: And If | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: ECM Records

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