Here’s a pianist with a warm and flexibly classical approach to music that focuses on Preludes ranging from Bach to Ellington. John Roney does some creative improvisation as well as sticking to the intent of material in this solo recording from the Chapelle Historique du Bon Pasteur. He delivers an impressionistic take of Back on “Prelude In C Minor” with verve and gentility while probing deeply into the marrow of Gershwin’s three “Preludes.” He lets the piano strings do some percussion work on Ellington’s “Prelude to a Kiss” and goes dark on Chopin’s “Prelude Op 28.” Dainty digits delicately touch the ivories on Scriabin’s “Prelude Op 16” and the pianist bookends the set by returning to Bach for a classical leaning “Prelude in D Minor.” Well conceived, constructed and delivered. Bravo!
Effendi Records