Ernst Reijseger: Colla Parte

Best known in North America for his work with Clusone Trio, Ernst Reijseger is a world-class cellist, regardless of genre. On this often sumptuous and occasionally wry solo program, Reijseger combines prodigious classical training, a dash of subversive wit, and an open-hearted,if idiosyncratic brio, to make Colla Parte a thoroughly engaging album from beginning to end. Reijseger creates a seamless, cloistered calm from not just space-soaking pieces built upon devices perfected in previous centuries, but also borderline dadaist techniques and a wide range of materials, including compositions by Abdullah Ibrahim and Misha Mengelberg. Given this is a guy who’s prone to put the cello on his lap and slap out blues riffs with a Cheshire Cat-like grin (usually while Han Bennink is causing mayhem), Colla Parte is a very contemplative album.

Originally Published May 1, 1999