Via Jazz · 3CatCultura

L'espiritualitat del pianista Tord Gustavsen

·56 min·5 clips
How does a Norwegian pianist and musicologist fuse Scandinavian contemplation with jazz through psychology and improvisation?
The episode opens by introducing Tord Gustavsen as a Norwegian pianist and musicologist with interests in psychology and the phenomenology of improvisation. It begins with his trio performing 'Deep As Love' from his 2003 work 'Changing Places' under ECM Records. The host explains that Gustavsen explores various formats to approach spiritual realms, with the trio allowing deeper research. A piece called 'Shepherd's Song' is highlighted, showing how Gustavsen intersects melodic lines from traditional Scandinavian sacred music and African-American gospel. The episode notes that Gustavsen transforms childhood church melodies, like 'The Tunnel', into his trio's repertoire. It then shifts to his vocal collaborations, featuring German-Afghan vocalist Simin Tandar on 'Life's Journey', which incorporates Sufi rhythms as part of the Wadwa Set project from 2016. Gustavsen also experiments with Norwegian choral formations, such as Kirkelig Kulturbesktet, which expands traditional sacred music into new languages. The episode includes a performance of 'Soul of my Soul' with percussionist Roné Arnesen. It mentions collaborations with saxophonist Tore Brunborg, double bassist Mats Eliardsen, and drummer Jarle Bespestad on traditional hymns like 'Castell al cel'. The episode concludes with 'La flauta', another Scandinavian sacred song adapted to jazz, before signing off.
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