Confidance

Rondo Magazine - CD Of The Month 02/04

     

The man has class. Kristjan Randalu, born 1978 in the Estonian Tallinn into a family of two pianists, grown up in Germany, has the potential to become one of the great pianists in the European Jazz. (…) “Confidance” is the title of the CD, and the play of words is self-explanatory: It tells the story of confidance and the joy of dancing. Kristjan Randalu´s fingers are dancing on the keys superiorly and accentuated, subtle and strong, full of nuances and engaging. Unbelievable how naturally a constant move of a wave is changing from the left to the right hand, while the melody is moving in opposite direction. And even when there is the impression that his accompanying figures are focusing on an ostinato, the movements of notes and rhythms shift with immense cleverness. There are no repetitions but always new, ludicrous variations. Almost every melody is turning to an unexpected but still familiar acting direction. The music seems to float and at the same time it is rooted in a musical ground as rich as the European music tradition. In five compositions and one hidden track Kristjan Randalu is playing the finest European Jazz.