Convergence

James Gelfand is a technically skilled pianist with a strong interest and background in both jazz and classical musics. On this consistently intriguing set, Gelfand improvises on the music of Bach, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Copland, Satie, and Brahms plus Ellington, Gershwin, and Shearing. Sometimes his playing is a bit out-of-tempo in spots and he often extends the harmonies of the original pieces, but he always keeps the theme and the original mood intact. This is a program that grows in interest with each listen, for Gelfand really knows the music and his improvisations are a logical part of each composition. Recommended.