MICHAEL ARBENZ featuring ATOM STRING QUARTET & FLORIAN ARBENZ

J.S. BACH SUITE III – A LIVING ORGANISM

 

Michael Arbenz, piano; Florian Arbenz, drums; ATOM STRING QUARTET: Dawid Lubowicz, Mateusz Smoczynski & Michal Zaborski, violins; Krysztof Lenczowski, cello.

This recording is rooted in interaction and musical trust.  These two brothers, Michael Arbenz and Florian Arbenz, have performed together for decades.  They add the acclaimed Atom String Quartet to the project and jazz is elevated.

Florian Arbenz adds his power-driven drums to the production and Michael Arbenz brings Mog synthesizer textures and piano to the mix in very contemporary ways. Michael was inspired by Bach’s iconic Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major.  I’m certain Bach would be shocked but pleased in the same breath. He probably would beam with surprise to hear his musical ideas reinvented and reshaped by rhythms, elasticity, improvisation, and jazz!

“Upbeat Bounce” is a blend of funk, country/western, Americana and Bach. After all, Michael Arbenz has long been steeped in European classical music and is self-taught as a jazz improviser. After the first part of this song, it evolves into a jazz swing that had my toes tapping and fingers snapping.  This music is quite unique!  Florian is featured on drums, along with the String ensemble. They bring a richness to the groove.

The song “Respire” is lovely, sweet, and Michael starts in the upper register of the piano, complimenting the beautiful violin parts in the tinkling soprano register. He holds a confidential conversation, with the piano’s notes talking to the strings. Their instrumental voices move effortlessly between structure and spontaneity.

After classical studies in Basel, Switzerland, Michael Arbenz built his international career using a contemporary classical repertoire. Later, he began developing a love of jazz and improvisation. Pianist, Arbenz added his own personal jazz voice to the work, performing with the heralded VEIN Trio and collaborating with various artists, including Greg Osby, Dave Liebman and Ron Carter, along with his brother. This music bridges classical and jazz in a wonderful way. The marriage between the two musical forms is exquisite and spiritual, like soulmates getting married.  I will listen to this album many more times.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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