Mustapha Skandrani / Istikhbars and Improvisations (2024年リプレスLP盤)
<a href="https://emrecords.bandcamp.com/album/istikhbars-and-improvisations-2024-repress">Istikhbars and Improvisations [2024 repress]（イスティクバルと即興） Mustapha Skandrani</a> アルジェリアのピアニストで作曲家、ムスタファ・スカンドラニがアンダルシア民謡の旋律をピアノで即興変奏した二つとない珠玉のアルバム、『イスティクバルと即興』（1965年）。時代を超越した穏やかで清冽な純音楽のマスターピース。 アンダルシア古典音楽で西洋由来のピアノは末席、このスカンドラニが開拓したも同然の演奏法でその作品は異端扱いされたそうです。なぜ異端かといえばこの人以前のアンダルシア音楽のコンサートでピアノ独奏はありえず、「イスティクバル」（アンダルシア宮廷音楽の様式のひとつ）をピアノでやるなど余人は考えつかず、当時、物議をかもしたといいます。 アルジェリアの古典音楽はスペインのアラブ・イスラム王朝が起源のアンダルシア宮廷音楽とトルコの古典音楽が混同し、西洋／アフリカ先住民／ユダヤ系の影響も受け、東西文化の統合が特徴とされます。「イスティクバル」は宮廷音楽の組曲様式「ナウバ（またはヌーヴァ）」の前奏曲で、幾つかのモード（型）があります。本作では、ひとつのモードをまず主題的に演奏・提示し、その後、変奏を行って1セットとし、合計9セットのモードを収録しています。本作の分かりやすい魅力はオリエント／西洋／アフリカが鍵盤上で優雅に交差するさまで、ピアノからつむぎ出される音が一本の繊細な線となって東西世界を行き来するかように動き回ります。 2024 repress with a new cover art. Mustapha Skandrani. Besides having an excellent name, this man, a luminary of Algerian music, possessed a unique musical sense, able to transcend the borders of musical cultures to create a distinctive fusion of Arabo-Andalusian and European styles. "Istikhbars and Improvisations", recorded in 1965 in Paris, is a solo piano album presenting a trans-Mediterranean crossover based on traditional Algerian vocal pieces known as Istikhbars. Playing these istikhbars (which have roots in the Islamic Arabo-Andalusian culture which flourished in Spain) on the piano, that quintessentially European instrument, Skandrani was greeted with derision by some purists. Skandrani's powerful musical vision, however, perceives the European element involved in Arabo-Andalusian musical culture, a world of exchange and co-existence, and his decision to play this music on the piano reminds us of this European influence. Skandrani's modus operandi on this release is to present each istikhbar, modal in nature, then to play an improvisation based on the istikhbar and its attendant mode. This A/B alternation continues throughout. The pellucid clarity of Skandrani's playing on this album may remind the listener of a modal Goldberg Variations, Bach and Glenn Gould transplanted to Andalucia. Other ears will hear the Arabic/Maghreb elements more strongly. Skandrani's precise touch and clear, symmetrical rhythmic sense links both worlds, assuring us that the Mediterranean is not a barrier, but a unifier, and that the differences between the cultures are not vast. This is an admirable acheivement, resulting in beautiful music of a rare charm. Mustapha Skandrani was born in Algiers in 1920, and died there in 2005. He mastered a number of instruments at an early age, and his musical prowess led him to work with the great singers and ensembles of his day, in live performances, recordings, and radio broadcasts. Later in his life, he devoted much energy to education. （EM RECORDS） Face 1 1. Mode: Raml Maya 2. Improvisations 3. Mode: Moual 4. Improvisations 5. Mode: Sika 6. Improvisations 7. Mode: Araq 8. Improvisations Face 2 1. Mode: Mezmoum 2. Improvisations 3. Mode: Sahli 4. Improvisations 5. Mode: Ghrib 6. Improvisations 7. Mode: Zidane 8. Improvisations 9. Mode: Kourdi 10. Improvisations ※各曲（モード）にそれぞれの変奏（即興）が続く形式で全9モード／18トラック収録。 新カッティング インサート封入（英語・日本語掲載） New cover art. Disc is made of BioVinyl. Includes 2-page insert for Japanese/English liner notes. Wrapped in shrink + a sticker. Two modes "Mode: Zidane + Improvisations" and "Mode: Kourdi + Improvisations" are available only on vinyl edition. Format：LP Label：EM RECORDS (JP)
