Vivaldi The Four Seasons

by Scott Yanow

Pianist Jacques Loussier has certainly had an unusual career, much of it spent performing jazz interpretations of Bach’s music. While his original works have been noteworthy, Loussier’s most famous projects have been his transformations of Bach’s music. In 1997 he tackled Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, four concertos that he performed and recorded with his trio. As with Bach’s pieces, Loussier pays respect to Vivaldi’s melodies and the development of the works while swinging the music. He divides each of the concertos into three parts, improvises tastefully while keeping the themes in mind, and leads his trio through some uncharted territory. Loussier occasionally recalls the style of John Lewis and Allegro Non Molto from the Summer piece has some resemblances to Lewis’ “Django.” Due to Loussier’s impressive technique, respect for both idioms and his well thought-out concept, this unique set is a complete success.