Kurt Rosenwinkel Plays Piano

That the piano is Kurt Rosenwinkel’s first instrument might explain something about the uniqueness of his harmonic language as a guitarist and composer. But prior to Kurt Rosenwinkel Plays Piano, the Berlin-based artist had documented his piano chops only on “The Next Step” from the 2001 release of that name. Here it is, a full album of solo piano from a jazz guitar giant, with the focus fully turned toward Rosenwinkel’s writing, his gift for elusive moods and flowing, swinging melodies that sound like no one else. It’s an essential companion to Elew Plays Rosenwinkel – Cubism, from 2019, another solo piano meditation on the guitarist’s Heartcore label. There are two pieces from Star of Jupiter (“Hommage À Mitch,” “Heavenly Bodies”), as well as “The Cross” from Deep Song and the wholly enigmatic yet impossibly catchy “Cycle Five” (which appeared as “Freedom Run” with Rebecca Martin’s lyrics on The Upstate Project, the singer’s 2017 album with Guillermo Klein). Rosenwinkel plays it all with technical aplomb and emotional depth, from the churning “Reassurement” and “Lost Song” to the lyrical “Whispers of Love” and “For Dad.”