Trio Alliance

Two sides of the trio are shown here, each from extended live performances featuring keyboardist Ganelin, saxophonist Petras Vysniauskas, and percussionist Arkadi Gotesman. The introspective "Part 1" displays the orchestral Ganelin, with alternately soft and majestic synthesizer sounds filling in the cracks from melodic reeds and percussion. As with any Ganelin performance, there is plenty to hold the attention of the listener, with Oriental stirrings, panoramic cascades, brooding splashes, and even circus-like pomposity. The jazzier "Part 2," from a separate concert, begins with long a cappella renderings from each of the participants, including a splendid piano solo by Ganelin, and slowly builds to a frenzied froth. While the trio has changed since its early days, and its freshness has dissipated somewhat, it maintains a consistently high level and continues to push the edges.