Journey with Jack Reilly
During the early '40s the luminaries teaching there included the musicians Hanns Eisler, Otto Klemperer, George Szell, Jascha Horenstein, Rudolph Kolisch, and the theatre directors Erwin Piscator, Herbert Graf, as well as many economists, sociologists, writers and psychologists who went on to become highly influential in their fields. Later Aaron Copland was another distinguished name on the faculty.
The very first track on Carol Lian Plays told me that this was going to be an interesting journey. For this, her first CD release, Ms. Lian opens (and closes) with mood setting improvisations. The message is clear, this isn't going to be another 'cookie cutter' recital disc. OK, there is some skillfully despatched Scarlatti (Sonata L.104 and 352) and Ravel (the sublime Sonatine). But then things get really interesting before we reach the concluding Gershwin Preludes (and they certainly aren't routine either). Ralph Briggs was the first name that was new to me. His 1962 Toccata takes the key elements of the traditional toccata form, and moves them into the second half of the 20th century via the subtle use of dissonnance and open intervals. There is urgency and dynamism both in the writing and playing. I can't understand why this work isn't better known.
Those introductory improvisations set the stage for the second discovery. As the palindromic title indicates, Jack Reilly's La-No-Tib Suite is a compact three movement bitonal work. The Suite packs quite a punch for such a compact work (a bit like Webern). A triplet figure followed by a dotted eighth dominate the work, the pianist is called on to improvise in two of the three parts, yet there is an underlying melodic and reflective quality that acts as an appealing counterpoint to the advanced musical language.
A fascinating and rewarding work. But who is Jack Reilly?
But that is only half the story.
His jazz career includes working with many big names, among them saxophonist Ben Webster (who worked with Duke Ellington) and vocalist Sheila Jordan. At the age of 19 he met Bill Evans at the US Navy School of Music in Washington D.C. This was the start of a Bill Evans connection that continues today. Evans piano technique was a strong influence on Reilly, and his studies of Evans have resulted in a the book The Harmony of Bill Evans. His writings also include the three volume Species Blue which takes the student pianist on a journey from elementary improvisation to full on free form playing.
Jack Reilly's extraordinary life also includes surviving cancer after treatment at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. This is celebrated in his recently premiered 'Green Spring Suite' which was featured in one of the 2005 John Hopkins Art of Healing concerts. As regular readers on an overgrown path will know I am a huge supporter of music as a therapy tool.
For me the most remarkable thing about Jack Reilly's 73 year journey is the way he so effortlessly crosses boundaries. From jazz to classical, to Eastern harmonies, and back. From composer to live performer, to recording artist, to teacher, to author, through to musical and spiritual evangelist. In today's world of categorisation, specialisation and tunnel vision that is a very remarkable achievement.
As a recent Guardian review said: "Many pianists have grown on the Bill Evans tree, but Jack Reilly is special."
If you enjoyed this post take an overgrown path to Michel Petrucciani
Comments
Prokovieff's C major piano concerto, last movement!!!! Thanx for that!!
It's one of my favorite concerti.