Meral Guneyman, Dick Hyman - Danzas Tropicales

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:48
Size: 142,8 MB
Art: Front

( 3:37)  1. Garota De Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema)
( 5:07)  2. Asfalto
( 5:46)  3. Milonga Del Adios
( 3:23)  4. Manhã De Carnaval
( 9:53)  5. Adios Nonino
( 5:15)  6. Prelude in E Minor-Insensatez
( 3:06)  7. Só Danço Samba
( 3:44)  8. Valse Des Portes Des Caixas
( 1:57)  9. La Rayuela
(10:13) 10. Danzas Tropicales
( 6:24) 11. Milonga Del Angel
( 3:16) 12. Cavaquino-Braziliera

The award-winning and classical trained pianist Meral Guneyman, along with the iconic jazz arranger, composer and pianist Dick Hyman, present Danzas Tropicales, a fluid collection of piano compositions dedicated to Latin dance rhythms. Guneyman and Hyman create a sound which captures a signature blend of Latin fervor and sophisticated elegance. Danzas Tropicales features an array of lively rhythms, ranging from the original title piece, composed by Hyman himself, to an exciting spectrum of Latin-American classics spanning the past century, including interpretations of “Garota De Ipanema (Girl From Ipanema)" and “Manhã De Carnaval." “We dived into the world of Tango Nuevo, Bossa Nova and Samba, and found great enjoyment in performing these popular but challenging dance rhythms. Of course, to begin with, we were dealing with beautiful compositions by Astor Piazzolla, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luis Bonfa, Ernesto Nazareth, and in particular, Pablo Ziegler, who became our friend and adviser in the preparation of this album. In addition, there was Dick Hyman's remarkable concert piece, 'Danzas Tropicales,' which gave us our album title. Dick is also responsible for the deft arrangements of many of the titles," states Meral Guneyman. This album follows their critically-acclaimed Ryko debut, Playful Virtuosity. JAZZWISE MAGAZINE claimed that “Meral Guneyman possesses an exquisite touch, immense power and a formidable technique, “ while JAZZ TIMES said, “It is hard to imagine another piano couple offering the vast shimmering coordinated pointillismwaterfalls of romanticism." ~ Michael Ricci https://news.allaboutjazz.com/meral-guneyman-and-dick-hyman-release-danzas-tropicales.php

Personnel: Piano – Dick Hyman (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6b, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12), Meral Güneyman (tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6a, 6b, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Danzas Tropicales

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Meral Guneyman & Dick Hyman - Playful Virtuosity

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:47
Size: 137,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Seven Virtuoso Etudes & Improvisations-Embraceable You
(4:55)  2. Fascinating Rhythm
(5:46)  3. Oh , Lady Be Good
(6:02)  4. The Man I Love
(7:02)  5. Liza(All The Clouds´ll Roll Away)
(5:28)  6. Somebody Loves Me
(5:54)  7. I Got Rhythm
(2:02)  8. Indiana Variations -Back Home Again In Indiana
(0:59)  9. Ready Or Not
(1:23) 10. Escape From The Woojies
(1:13) 11. Big Finish
(6:03) 12. Django
(2:16) 13. Three Raps For Two Pianos - Moderato
(2:10) 14. Andante
(3:17) 15. Alegro

Pianist Meral Guneyman appeared to be slightly nervous when she took the stage recently at the 92nd Street Y's concert "Piano Players: New York Mix." But after a glowing introduction from the show's artistic director Dick Hyman, she launched into a powerful solo version of "The Clothed Woman," one of several Ellington classics she played that evening with strong emotion and arresting dexterity. Later Hyman sat at another piano and they reprised his challenging arrangement of "Solitude," skillfully filling in each other's spaces and ending with a touching flourish. Guneyman's discovery of some Gershwin tunes arranged by Earl Wild was a driving force behind Playful Virtuosity, a fine collection of duo piano between her and Hyman. With Guneyman's impressive symphonic resume and the classical elements present in Wild's arrangements, it's easy to see why she would embrace them so heartily. Guneyman's undulating arpeggios and cascading symphonic touches enhance such songs as "Embraceable You" and "The Man I Love," the latter of which recalls Rhapsody in Blue. Guneyman's range, however, is not confined to the recital hall. On her tour de force rendition of "I Got Rhythm," she boogie-woogies like the house player at a juke joint. At the Y concert she weaved the Wild and Hyman arrangements of "Rhythm" together brilliantly and played like a maenad, stamping her foot to keep time and giving the ivories a melodic forearm.

Guneyman sets the bar high but Hyman reaches it with his excellent improvisations off his own arrangements. His light-hearted take on "Oh Lady, Be Good" growls with deep block chords and his infectious playing on "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)" is a harmonic stroll in the park. Hyman's touch is nimble throughout, with varying moods and textures, but his sound is just as joyful. In the wake of the Gershwin block, though, their tandem playing on Hyman's compositions seems almost anticlimactic. His "Indiana Variations," a laconic trio of tunes, are well executed but seem like a series of compulsory four-handed exercise. The second triad, "Three Raps for Two Pianos," a condemnation of rap via an exploration of its rhythmic possibilities, is an interesting idea the "Allegro" section has an irresistible energy but it doesn't quite soar. Guneyman and Hyman play with stunning techniques that never subvert substance and styles that are complementary without clashing. It's this individual and collaborative piano mastery that makes Playful Virtuosity, despite being somewhat top heavy, an excellent disc.
~ Terrel Kent Holmes  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/playful-virtuosity-ellen-winters-rykodisc-review-by-terrell-kent-holmes.php

Personnel: Meral Guneyman: piano; Dick Hyman: piano.

Playful Virtuosity

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