JJ 08/84: The Victor Feldman Trio – To Chopin With Love

I suppose there is no harm in jaz­zing up Chopin if you have the skill and sensibility to avoid de­basing the original.

The opening bars of the lovely C Minor Prelude put me off for a start; it all sounded like back­ground music for body popping. There is no point in analysing this LP track by track because much of the music is heavy handed. The thumping, monotonous drumming doesn’t help either.

I happen to prefer my Chopin straight, preferably played by Lipatti or Cortot. Readers of a like mind are warned to keep away from this LP if they have weak hearts or are inclined to be excit­able.

Discography
Mr. C. Meets Mr. T. (C Minor Pre­lude); Star Drift (Berceuse); Dream Dance (C Sharp Minor Waltz); Pola Nova (B Major Noc­turne) (20.33) — Polka Surprise (Mazurka In B Flat); Night Flight (F Minor Nocturne); Waltz For Scotty (A Flat Major Waltz) (18.31)
Victor Feldman (p); John Patitucci (b); Tre­vor Feldman (d). Recorded in California, USA 7th & 8th May 1983.
(Paj PA 8056-N)