Search - Wolfgang Dauner :: Changes/Zeitlaufe

PLEASING SOLO KEYBOARD COMPOSITIONS FROM GERMANY

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 07/17/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Two discs 35, 56 minutes each approximately. The sound has been digitally remastered and is crisp and clean. The booklet lists song titles, lengths, dates recorded, and composer. There are short paragraphs which give a bit of background on how the music came about.



Wolfgang Dauner is a keyboard player and producer of many albums released on the Moon Records label. The label is owned and run by musicians in order that music other labels won't touch is available to the public. Their credo is the music comes first-with no (or very little) thought as to its commercial worth. These albums were originally released in the 80's era of jazz/rock, but are closer to jazz overall. As I've written elsewhere, don't think this music is esoteric,outside-free jazz-something you might hear from the ESP label for example, its far from that.



The first album ("Changes") is a 1988 solo set of compositions (all by Dauner), using a synthesizer and grand piano in combination, to create thoughtful, sparkling, atmospheric music. The tracks have a pleasing blend of keyboards-never relying on either instrument to any extent. The compositions, while esoteric, are never off-putting as far as their construction. The songs all have a beginning, middle, and end, and are quite pleasing to the ear. In portions of some of the tracks ("Stuck fur Piano und Synthesizer" Op. 1), Dauner's piano style is reminiscent of Keith Jarrett's sound and phrasing.



The second album ("Zeitlaufe"), also recorded in 1988, is similar to the first album, comprised of Dauner's compositions. The title, in English, translates into "Course of Time", and was a set of commissioned pieces. All the tracks are based on an ancient Greek calendar, which includes the oldest surviving musical composition, from 400 B.C. This particular song was engraved on a grave pillar of Seikilos ( titled "The Song of Seikilos"), and is, interestingly enough, a drinking song extolling people to enjoy the short time we all have on this earth. The music (as you might expect) has a different feel when compared to the previous album. Dauner plays some particularly beautiful passages on piano ("Seikilos Lied"), and combined with what sounds like a recorder, creates a wonderfully moving duet piece. Likewise, "Selinous" has some piano/flute passages that, too, are sparkling in their effect. The addition of harp on several tracks gives added depth to the music. This set is full of thoughtful, emotive music. Several of the quieter compositions/passages are delicately played on the piano, and are very beautiful, yet thoughtful and fully realized. If anything, this set is even better than the first album.



As I've written before, I'm glad to see albums from this label being remastered and re-released-and at a good price. Many years ago I remember seeing a number of albums on this label as expensive imports, so its nice to have these sets available, and once again hear music composed and played from a slightly different (German/European) viewpoint.



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