1. Dear Lover
2. Poem
3. Theme from 5th Part of Sinfonietta (Janáček)
4. A Bird Flew By
5. U Dunaja, u Prešpurka
6. Austerlitz
7. Moon, Sleeping in the Cradle
8. Thank You, Laca
9. Up on a Fir Tree
10. I Saw Grey Pidgeon
11. In Holomóc Town
George Mraz - Bass
Emil Viklický - Piano
The Munich-based ACT Music has produced a series of duo recordings in recent times under the collective title of Duo Art. A sample of these
recordings, which includes the pairings of Gwilym Simcock and Yuri Goloubev, Philip Catherine and Martin Wind, Michel Wollny and Marius Neset among many
others, can be found on a 2 CD set, Creating Magic, on ACT 6014-2.
Together Again
reunites two of the leading Czech jazz musicians in their first recording as a duo. Both Mraz and Viklický studied at the Berklee College of Music in
Boston. Mraz then based himself in the United States and has become one of the best-known bass players in jazz, recording with major performers such as
Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Tommy Flanagan and Thad Jones. Viklický returned to the Czech Republic and is now regarded as the finest jazz pianist in the country.
They have explored their love of Moravian folk music on two previous CDs with other musicians. Producer Siggi Loch was so captivated by these recordings
that he brought the two musicians together with the aim of making their music available to a wider audience.
On this CD, all the music is traditional or by Czech composers such as Leoš Janáček or by Viklický himself. Mraz has a rich, sonorous tone on the bass
which perfectly complements Viklický's impressive keyboard skills. Much of the music is calmly reflective with classical overtones, but the duo bring a
bluesy feel to several tracks, notably Dear Lover, the dramatic Poem and the Janáček song, Thank You, Laca. Viklický's own tunes
are instantly appealing, especially A Bird Flew By, Moon, Sleeping in the Cradle and In Holomóc Town. Mraz's
bass solos on all these tracks are outstanding.
Beautifully played, intriguing and rewarding.
George Stacy
CD Reviews
ACT 9622-2
