hindrances pedro neves

hindrances pedro neves

Die feine Klaviermusik aus Portugal – so könnte man es übertiteln – ja, die feine Klaviermusik. Sie beginnt mit einem Arpeggienregen in Mollklängen, Pedro Neves Klavierspiel wird dabei von Miguel Ângelo am Kontrabass und Leandro Leonet am Schlagzeug als Primus inter Pares begleitet – so hochwertig und stilsicher praktizieren sie ihre emotionale und elegante Musik unter den Vorzeichen lyrischer Kompositionen, sie braucht den Vergleich mit Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett oder Brad Mehldau nicht zu scheuen – selten ausgeformt und über die Jahre ihrer Freundschaft ebenso aufeinander abgestimmt, der Gesamteindruck ist der einer Geschlossenheit, das hast du selten in so einer Klarheit.

The fine piano music from Portugal – that’s how it could be titled – yes, the fine piano music. It begins with an arpeggio rain in minor tones, Pedro Neves‚ piano playing is accompanied by Miguel Ângelo on double bass and Leandro Leonet on percussion as primus inter pares – so high quality and stylistically confident do they practice their emotional and elegant music under the auspices of lyrical and communicative compositions and formations, it need not fear comparison with Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett or Brad Mehldau – rarely formed and over the years of their friendship also coordinated, the overall impression is one of unity in form and concept, you rarely have that in such clarity.

The preference for Nordic soundscapes is unmistakable, but the piano can also hit hard, as in Bumpy Roads or in Two Miles of Walking. Overall, however, the recording is carried by a mild atmosphere, by cinematic motifs and catchy melodies, here the assertive bass lines, there the delicate percussion brushes, above all this fine piano voice that easily switches back and forth between keys and moods.

All this is on a par with what the „classical“ piano trio has produced in Portugal – Mário Laginha, Bernardo Sassetti, Kolme, Filipe Raposo – or abroad – Bobo Stenson, António Farao, John Taylor, Jef Nev. (Time Out Lisboa/Porto)

Pedro Neves shows a very good feeling for melodies and an equally good balance between rhythmic, lyrical and narrative elements, there obstacles (hindrances) are considered a challenge, which the trio approaches reflectively and contemplatively, in the sense of a peaceful approach, for the sake of their own clarity. The result is a melodic, beautiful, relaxing and absolutely recommendable recording.

There remain the references to the recordings from 2013 (their debut Ausente) and 05:21 from 2016 as well as Murmurantes from 2019, three also captivating recordings, so it remains to wish the trio very much that they now become known beyond the borders of Portugal.