Schmitz, Denis
Detour
Guitarist Denis Schmitz returns to his roots in classical guitar music on his album Detour. At the heart of the release are two works that only at first glance seem incongruous. Cinco Piezas para Guitarra is still the only work by Argentinian tango icon Astor Piazzolla that he composed for the concert guitar (solo). In them, Piazzolla is able to deal with the tonal language of the intimate instrument in a very unique way and deliberately dispenses with the effervescent temperament of his other Tango Nuevo compositions as far as possible. The five pieces are a gem of sound colors, of thoughtful pauses, but also of that longing for the freedom of the tango that still makes it a projection screen for music lovers worldwide. In contrast, Four Paths of Light by the American jazz guitarist Pat Metheny is a lesser-known work. There has only ever been one complete recording by the dedicatee and Grammy award winner Jason Vieaux. This makes it all the more important for Schmitz to bring this highly demanding work, unique in its tonal language, to a wider audience in his concerts and also to the listeners of Detour. Metheny gave the individual movements the rather spartan titles I, II, III and IV. In them, Denis Schmitz takes the listener on an adventurous journey through virtuoso arpeggio passages, fast-paced movements and bold modulations that can only come from Metheny. But especially in the quiet, more withdrawn passages, Schmitz is able to put his extraordinary sense of sound at the service of enchanting melodies and harmonies in order to turn notes into sensations.