Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XV Stefano Bollani & Iiro Rantala

• 1 Prelude La Traviata 05:36
• 2 Caruso 06:10
• 3 All'inizio 06:44
• 4 Musetta Waltz 06:06
• 5 June 05:20
• 6 Va, Pensiero 04:42
• 7 Te Voglio Bene Assaje 03:33
• Total Runtime 38:11

Info for Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XV

For over a decade, ACT Music has been celebrating extraordinary moments of live jazz in one of the world's most famous concert halls with its Jazz at the Berlin Philharmonie series. Curated by ACT founder Siggi Loch, the renowned series brings together the best musicians for unique, often unexpected collaborations - and has delivered countless unforgettable performances that are now captured in an acclaimed collection of recordings. Jazz at the Berlin Philharmonie XV brings together two masters of the piano, Iiro Rantala and Stefano Bollani, for a performance that is as joyful as it is masterful. Rantala, a Finnish virtuoso known for his humour, curiosity and cross-genre brilliance, and Bollani, an Italian pianist celebrated for his playful and creative spirit, share a rare musical chemistry.

With Jazz at the Berlin Philharmonie XV, audiences are invited to a concert experience full of virtuosity, fun and the deep joy of musical connection - a true highlight of this popular series.

With Jazz in the Berlin Philharmonie XV, listeners are invited to a concert experience full of virtuosity, fun and the deep joy of musical connection - a true highlight of this popular series.

Humour and music. If there was a lecture on this subject, everyone would be bored to death. I don't think we'll ever hear the sentence: ‘I can't find any new serious jazz, everyone's just making rubbish.’ That won't happen. Jazz is serious music. Don't get me wrong. Jazz musicians have fun when they play together. But the fun stays on stage. It doesn't transfer to the audience. And that's where Stefano Bollani comes in. Stefano Bollani's aim is to involve the audience in the fun. And not just the players. With little magic tricks and gestures, he ensures that the audience is included in the action. I want to do exactly the same thing. Stefano is like Italy. Light, humorous, full of great melodies, dramatic when necessary, proud to be part of the long and rich tradition, but also eager to break new ground. I am delighted to present this celebration of Italian music with the best possible duo partner, il Maestro Bollani. (Iiro Rantala)

When I heard Liiro Rantala for the first time in the early 90s, I could already recognise his stunningly mature piano technique. Then, step by step, I discovered many other facets of him. Through his improvisations on John Lennon, Gershwin and his own music, I came to appreciate his incredible preparation and insatiable curiosity. Then, when I saw a TV show with him as presenter, I also recognised his wonderful sense of humour. We finally met for the first time in Helsinki in 2013 when he invited me to his piano festival. We only played one song, but we both knew that this big moment needed something special as we share so many musical tastes. Gershwin? Chick Corea? Tango? No, we decided on the theme tune from the animated film ‘Family Guy’. ‘Well, iiro is definitely a Family Guy for me,’ I laughed. Then, later, his funny, creative, intelligent album ‘My Finnish calendar’ made me realise that I had found a musical twin brother. And that made me think: ‘We must try to play together’. We did. We had a lot of fun. And that night became this recording. In the course of a music career, you always get to know musicians who are different from you. But how much more fun is it to share the stage with someone who has a very similar musical taste and approach. And yet someone who can always surprise me. (Stefano Bollani)

Stefano Bollani, piano
Iiro Rantala, piano

Iiro Rantala
"Intelligence, humor, a lot of sentiment, unpredictable ideas and the finest piano craftsmanship" (FAZ) - the Finnish pianist Iiro Rantala is "a natural phenomenon on the keys" (Jazz thing). With the anarchic trio Töykeät, he rocked the jazz stages of Europe and far beyond for almost 20 years. His subsequent ACT debut album "Lost Heroes" marked a turning point in his music: where wild, unbridled exuberance reigned before, Rantala now seeks and finds above all the power of melody, harmony and deep emotion. But his mischievous side shines through again and again. And so does his outstanding, classically trained piano craftsmanship. Rantala manages a balancing act in many ways: Celebrated by critics, including the German record critics' annual award, the ECHO Jazz, the Finnish EMMA Award and many more, but at the same time also a crowd favorite at hundreds, if not thousands, of concerts. In classical temples such as the Berlin Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Cologne Philharmonie, but also in jazz clubs and festivals across Europe. Solo, in a trio or with a full orchestra. Between jazz, classical, pop and Nordic songs. With sentiment and melancholy, but also with a lot of wit and charm. In short: a master of modern, limitless piano playing.

Stefano Bollani
On the piano, Bollani always manages to create something new by jumping effortlessly between genres and eras - from classical music to jazz to South American rhythms, from Poulenc to Lucio Dalla to Frank Zappa. A great musical game in which improvisation and creativity play the main roles. However, there is one constant in Bollani's concerts: the special bond with his audience, who are invited each time to shape the evening's program with their unpredictable wishes, together with the artist.

Music as a huge game that must be constantly reinvented, alone or with the most diverse partners. Bollani seeks inspiration throughout the history of music and above all explores the present, the moment, improvising and playing alongside great artists such as his noble mentor Enrico Rava, Chick Corea, Richard Galliano, Bill Frisell, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Pat Metheny. He has recorded for the most prestigious jazz labels such as ECM, Label Bleu and ACT Records. With the same joyful spirit, he collaborates with symphony orchestras such as the Gewandhauskapelle Leipzig, La Scala in Milan and the Orchestre National de Paris, playing works by his favorite composers Gershwin, Ravel and Poulenc. He is led by courageous and enthusiastic conductors such as Riccardo Chailly, Krjstian Jarvi, Daniel Harding, Zubin Mehta and Anthony Pappano.

Booklet for Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XV