Invitation to Openness

4-STARS The pianist Hal Galper, born in 1938 in Salem, Massachusetts, is one of the lesser-known musicians - despite a long career that has brought him together with Chet Baker, Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods, among others. The musician, who has also made a name for himself as a teacher, is still active today, although his last chronological release dates back to a live recording in 2008. The then 70-year-old played out his great musical experience in the program, which consisted of half his own compositions and half standards, which is particularly noticeable in the standards. Without wanting to deconstruct them completely, he gives them his own, angular, brittle interpretation. A prime example of this approach is Charlie Parker's "Constellation". The rebellious element has been lost or worn down since the time of its creation in the classic, which originally dates back to 1948 and is based on the harmonic framework of George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm". Galper's interpretation, on the other hand, is downright rebellious. The brittle character of his interpretation makes the much-heard evergreen sound new and fresh - a statement that applies to the entire repertoire.