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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

In Context: Brad Mehldau


Brad Meldhau comes to BAM on September 9 as part of Nonesuch Records as BAM. Context is everything, so get even closer to the show with this curated selection of articles, interviews, and videos related to the show. Once you've seen it, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below.


BAM Program Notes


Brad Mehldau (PDF)


Watch & Listen


Video
Mehldau Live in Vienne (Mezzo)
Mehldau plays arrangements of “Bittersweet Symphony" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit,” among others.

Video
Mehldau performs Radioheads "Exit Music For A Film" (YouTube)
From a multi-part portrait of Mehldau, shot largely in Berlin.

Video
Behind the Scenes of Highway Rider (Vimeo)
An inside look at Mehldau’s second session with producer Jon Brion.

Video
“Just Call Me Nige” (Nonesuch)
Mehldau and drummer Mark Guiliana perform a track from their Mehliana project.

Audio
Mehldau Interview with Jamie Cullum (BBC)
Mehldau talks about Oscar Peterson, recording on tape, moving to New York, and more.


Read


Interview
Mehldau Discusses Solo Piano (Huffington Post)
“The challenge and the thrill are one and the same,” says Mehldau. “There is no net; there is absolute freedom.”

Mehldau’s Writings (BradMehldau.com)
The pianist dissects Beethoven, bemoans the difficulties of coming up with good titles, and more.


Your turn . . .

So how did you enjoy the show? Likes? Dislikes? Surprises? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below.

13 comments:

  1. Just so genuine, lyrical, wonderful... and he has taken solo piano to another level!

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  2. just to clarify that the first video link is a performance at the amphitheatre at Vienne, near Lyon in France rather than Vienna as suggested

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    Replies
    1. Jazz à Vienne takes place every summer and is highly recommended - stunning venue

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  3. As usual a great performance with this consummate artist. Just wish a playlist had been provided

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  4. I've been going to the BAM Harvey (née Majestic) ever since The Mahabharata kicked things off. This is the first time I've seen a solo piano concert there. I don't think I've ever seen three standing ovations like I did last night. Magnificent concert, perfect setting, great audience. More of the same please!

    The medley in the final encore was astounding - just as we were expecting a final resolution of this wistful, lyrical curtain closer, Mehldau transformed the final chord into this sustained, dark, lugubrious vessel that carried us into a different composition with quite a different mood and place. Exhilarating.

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  5. PS I believe the first work in that final encore was Waltz for JB...

    Can anyone post a set list?

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    Replies
    1. Here you go: http://bamnextwave.tumblr.com/post/97330955664/set-lists

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  6. Astoundingly beautiful. My guest and I were not very familiar with Mehldau's music and a playlist would indeed be helpful. (We know the artist had one onstage!) Any chance it can be posted by a BAMmer as a post-show goodie?

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    Replies
    1. Here you go: http://bamnextwave.tumblr.com/post/97330955664/set-lists

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  7. I would describe my experience as transcendental. Many thanks to Mr. Mehldau for inviting me into his soul. There is nothing more magic than a solitary concert grand on stage in the hands of a consummate artist.

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  8. Mehldau kindly provided us with his set list. Here it is:

    Untitled Improvisation
    Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots)
    Medley - Zingaro (Jobim) into Paris(Mehldau)
    St. Anne's Reel (traditional bluegrass fiddle tune)
    Holland (Sufjan Stevens)

    Encores were:

    Get Happy (Harold Arlen)
    Dish Here (Bobby Timmons)

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  9. well, the stet list does not mention Retrato em branco e preto by Jobim which I am sure I heard probably in the medley.

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