Impressionists Improvised is a fascinating solo piano album by Chris Gall, an artist considered to be one of Germany's most outstanding contemporary pianists - and I can certainly understand why! The album is a collection of nine improvisations on well-known pieces by Erik Satie, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, plus five original compositions that explore the tonal and harmonic richness of Impressionism blended with the improvisational essence of jazz. Without trying to "improve" on the original music, Gall is presenting these pieces in a new way that presents a contemporary approach while keeping in mind a quote attributed to Gabriel Fauré, who taught both Ravel and Debussy: "The most beautiful melodies are those you hum when you stop thinking."

A 1998 graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston with a Jazz Piano major, Chris Gall also earned his Master's degree in Film Composition at Berklee in 2022. He has performed in a wide variety of settings all over the world and has recorded solo, with groups, and with symphonic orchestras.

Impressionists Improvised begins with Erik Satie's "Gymnopedie No. 1," one of my favorite piano pieces from any era. So much is expressed with such an economy of notes and Chris Gall preserves that minimalist approach with a gentle fleshing-out of some of the left hand. He performs the piece on a delicately-prepared upright piano that really brings out the beautiful, heartfelt simplicity of the piece. Claude Debussy's "Rêverie" is one of his best-known pieces and Gall has given it an edgy 7/8 rhythm that feels very different from the original. The melody is there, but the energy level is much higher in places. Maurice Ravel's "Pavane pour une infante défunte" is transformed into the context of a Britpop anthem. Debussy's "Claire de lune" appears on the album in two different versions - first on a grand piano with a mix of classical and jazz stylings and as the closing track, played on the prepared upright piano. The first of Gall's original pieces on the album is "Satiesfaction": "A bold reimagining of Satie's essence, infused with the rebellious energy of modern rock icons." (quoted from a press release) Rhythmic and upbeat, it's quite different from the other tracks! "The Impressionist No. 1" is another Gall original and is a relaxed jazz waltz - smooth, graceful and bittersweet. "The Impressionist No. 2" picks up the tempo and energy level with a playful, bluesy attitude. Ravel's "Le tombeau de Couperin: Toccata" clearly demonstrates what an amazing pianist/composer Chris Gall really is with lightning-fast passages and others that are slower and more elegant. My one-word review of this piece would be an enthusiastic "WOW!" Satie's "Gnossienne No. 3" is another personal favorite, and Gall's shimmering left hand as well as his artistic touches add a special magic to the original. "The Impressionist No. 3" is understated yet beautifully expressive - another favorite! "The Impressionist No. 4" was inspired by American jazz pianist Bill Evans and feels like an easy-going tribute to freedom and peaceful contentment (my interpretation!).

Impressionists Improvised is a musical work of art! It is available from Amazon on CD now and can be pre-ordered on vinyl. More links will be added as they become available. Highly recommended!