Arik Strauss Trio - Closing The Circle

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Arik Strauss's new release "Closing The Circle" (his 8th album as a leader, 3 of which were released by the American label Dot Time Records) once again sees the pianist in a trio setting. The album presents a brand new set of original compositions composed since Arik relocated from Tel Aviv to Berlin, closing the circle left open by his family who had to leave Germany when the horrors of the second world war were about to break, a concept that is the red line throughout this recording.

Piano is the main focus of the album both in the diversity and richness of the compositions and in Arik's high improvisational skills while demonstrating his ability to create drama in his playing.

Closing the Circle with its repeated bebop-like intro before and after the melody symbolizes the closing of circles that repeat in Arik's life, as he stated, "In coming to Berlin I closed the circle which was left open when my family had to leave Germany before the war." Strauss's musical circle opened in Jerusalem, passed through New York – where he studied and created for 12 years – Paris, Israel and now Germany. Arik went on to say, "This circle is not yet completely closed for as long as I keep composing and playing the continuum remains."

Morning Glory describes the slow and pleasant awakening to a beautiful morning with its gorgeous colors and sounds full of happiness and hope for the future. For Andrea was composed for the drummer in the trio Andrea Marcelli. "The vivacious melody allows him to express more of his rhythmical ideas." said Arik.

Bad Harzburg was composed after visiting the little German town and the snowy mountain near it. The climbing is symbolized through the composition's ascending melodic structure, while the enchanting solo of the bassist, Jonathan Robinson, and the soft brush work of Andrea Marcelli create a poetic atmosphere.

When speaking of the track Doing it Arik stated, "I spent 12 years of my life in New York, performing a great deal. Then came a long period of mainly teaching and recording in Israel and in this time of my life, here in Berlin, I again find myself concentrating on playing, composing and recording, that is to say – joyfully doing it, which here is reflected by alternations between an energetic 6/4 rhythm and a happy swing rhythm."

Arik's previous album, In Spite of All, recorded his survival of many hardships he has endured along the way. When speaking about the track Serenity, included on "Closing The Circle", Arik explained that "With the change in my state of mind, I was finally open to receive serenity." Off to Berlin is a happy funky tune about my coming to Berlin, anticipating life as a musician in such an environment so enhancing creativity. The following track, Nicht so laut, is a homage to his "dear young neighbor" who lives in the apartment below him. "He was, " Arik said, "so closed up, he could not appreciate my music and kept interrupting me, banging on the ceiling demanding that I don't play 'so laut' or don't play at all. So, I wrote him a quiet, relaxed bossa nova."

Song for Amy is a composition that holds a special place in Arik's heart, as he goes on to explain "Amy was the beautiful daughter of friends who tragically decided this world was not good enough for her. She left us on her 16th birthday, leaving so much sadness behind. Though the first part of the tune is a slow ballad lamentation, the second part leaves room for hope that maybe where she is now is a more joyful place." Joe Kucera on saxophone and Sigal Adler Strauss's vocals add a lyrical and mournful dimension to the song.

Tears of Joy was the first tune Arik wrote in Berlin, with its soft bossa nova melody telling about the pain of leaving home and its joyful rhythm depicting the hopeful expectations of coming to a new place. Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish neighborhood outside old Jaffa, even before Tel Aviv was founded, inspired this solo piece, the only one in the album. Arik said "When listening to it in contrast to the opening tune, I realized that there is a similarity in the descending phrasing only with different harmony and almost opposite tempo and mood – a perfect way to close the album."

Journalist Jan Veldman (Jazz In Europe) summed up the album in his pre-release review as follows: "The music presented on this album can be firmly categorized as mainstream and the compositions largely follow traditional forms. However at no point in the set would I say the approach sounds old fashioned. In fact, I believe the statement in the accompanying press release "the compositions on the album pay respect to the tradition while at the same time looking forward…" is right on the mark. The recording quality of the album is superb and throughout the performances are strong."
Some Press Quotes

"Arik Strauss plays with a refined sense of feeling and sensitivity somewhere between Bill Evans and Frederic Chopin…." - GJakob Baekgaard – All About Jazz

"When listening to this album it's evident that this incarnation of the Arik Strauss trio has developed a level of interplay where three voices combine as one." - Jan Veldman, Jazz In Europe.

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