The Master and Margarita is a long suite (two discs) inspired by Mikhail Bulgakov's classic novel of the same name. (It's not the first time pianist Simon Nabatov has tangled with Russian literary figures -- compare 2001's Nature Morte, his encounter with Joseph Brodsky.) For this imaginatively "out" project, Nabatov recruits the finest of players: violinist Mark Feldman, trumpeter Herb Robertson, and longtime rhythm section colleagues Mark Helias (bass) and Tom Rainey (drums).   [ read more ]

CD $33.23

On paper, this duo should not work out. The soft bopping romanticism of pianist Simon Nabatov should have been blown to smithereens by the runaway train that is Han Bennink. Well, lo and behold, Chat Room turns out to be both civilized and exciting. It would be too easy to say that Nabatov has managed to tame the wild horse (come on, even Misha Mengelberg is not able to do that even after trying for four decades). No, the reason why it works is simply because each improviser meets the other h   [ read more ]

CD $18.03

The influences are myriad, and some of the names are inscribed artfully on the cover: Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Schnittke, Messiaen, and Stockhausen, among others. In his liner notes, Stuart Broomer writes of the French impressionism at work as well as "pan-serialism" and "tonal liberation." Nabatov's solo piano work is entirely different than his ensemble recordings: Alone, he displays a strong romantic side that can be alternately dark and brooding or vigorously upbeat. His u   [ read more ]

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"Nature Morte" is the title of a poem written in 1971 by Joseph Brodsky. He and pianist Simon Nabatov were both born in Russia and later resettled in America. Nabatov took the ten-part poem, a rich conjuration of life and death, and wrote what can only be described as an ambitious song cycle, even though the fact that Phil Minton sings it means one must stretch his usual definition of the word "song." Trombonist Nils Wogram and saxophonist Frank Gratkowski (also heard on clarinet, bass cla   [ read more ]

CD $18.03

The team of pianist Simon Nabatov and drummer Tom Rainey engages in ferocious free-form interplay leavened by quieter if no less dissonant passages. Sometimes Nabatov's use of "small objects" and what is called a "cracklebox" has similarities to some of the more esoteric moments of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, while other pieces are mostly sound explorations. However, there are sections of the piano/drums duets that are more playful, most notably "Nao Olhe Para Tras," which sounds like a Cuba   [ read more ]

CD $18.03

CD $18.03

To say that Simon Nabatov's music is adventurous would be an understatement. His music, which mixes together written-out sections with free improvising, is eccentric and sometimes demented, particularly when Phil Minton is singing. Nabatov sought to pay tribute to Russian poets and writers, but one wonders what they would think of these very abstract interpretations. While most of the instruments utilized are conventional, Cor Fuhler's electronics frequently give the instrumental sections an oth   [ read more ]

CD $18.03

CD $18.03