Search - Bernd Lhotzky :: Piano Portrait

Representative Stride Coupled with Fine Technique

T. McEvoy | 02/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bernd Lhotzky is what some would classify as a "third generation" stride pianist. Lhotzky provides a representative sample of the stride jazz piano style in this CD with classic hits such as Willie the Lion Smith's "Rippling Waters" and Fats Waller's "Keepin' Out of Mischief." Lhotzky also throws in some songs that you might not typically associate with stride piano, such as "I'll See You in My Dreams," but with incredible technique, he adapts these pieces to the stride style, as evidenced by the thumping left hand bass.



It should be noted that the entire CD isn't stride. He plays a series of ballades from the 1930's (Adirondack sketches), but although I purchased this CD primarily for the stride pieces, Lhotzky's playing of these ballades was captivating.



His playing style is so crisp and fluid, so that every note and chord is perfectly clear. He executes the pieces with the utmost precision to dynamics and sound color, bringing out the pieces' beautiful melodies in striking clarity. Moreover, Lhotzky's sense of rhythm is as precise as his technique. In every piece, whether he's striding through James P. Johnson's "Caprice Rag" with remarkable speed, or lamenting through "The Legend of Lonesome Lake," you can truly enjoy the interpretation of these great songs, as well as apprecating some great piano playing in general."