| Jazz |
These two female artists, profoundly influenced by classical music, present an extraordinary and largely unclassifiable album of breathtaking beauty. Courvoisier has been hailed by The New York Times as “a pianist in equal measure daring and restrained.” With her transformative approach to jazz guitar, Halvorson has been described by NPR as “the most forward-thinking guitarist of the moment.” It is undeniable that we are witnessing here musicians of the highest caliber, who, from their deeply personal artistic realms, conjure an environment of rare enchantment. This is, without question, one of the most exquisite duos I have encountered in quite some time.
These compositions, of extreme complexity, are destined for an enlightened audience, yet their inventiveness, inspirations, and arrangements verge on pure genius. Over the course of a collaboration that has, in less than a decade, become essential, Courvoisier and Halvorson have fused their singular voices into a bold and unified vision. With Bone Bells, their third duo album and second release on Pyroclastic Records, they firmly establish themselves among the most captivating and adventurous piano-guitar tandems in a still relatively rarefied pantheon.
Once again, this is an album that demands intellectual engagement, yet once we step inside, we find ourselves contemplating the work as one might gaze upon Dalí’s melting clocks—except that here, the artist has transcended his own creation to such an extent that it seems to dissolve into the immaterial, leaving behind only an impression, an imprint that lingers forever. This is what one might call a truly significant artistic experience.
“I feel a deep musical affinity with Sylvie,” confesses Halvorson. “We come from very different musical backgrounds, yet there are so many points of convergence, so many shared fascinations. Exploring these intersections and tensions has been mesmerizing.”
“I have come to better understand and love Mary’s musical language,” adds Courvoisier. “I can hear where she wants to go, and our sound has truly evolved. I can now compose not just for piano and guitar, but specifically for Mary and me.”
Artistic inspirations that extend far beyond mere composition—this, without a doubt, is what lends such force to their work. A revealing clue lies in the fact that Bone Bells, the eerie and melancholic title track by Halvorson, is followed by Esmeralda, a tempestuous piece by Courvoisier inspired by a sculpture by Dutch artist Cornelis Zitman, oscillating between elegance and sonic eruption. Folded Secret, by Halvorson, unfolds through a labyrinthine cyclical motif, punctuated by Courvoisier’s percussive prepared piano, while Nags Head Valse, penned by Courvoisier, is a delirious danse macabre named after a British pub encountered on tour.
As you know, I hold this form of art especially dear—the kind that both surprises and elevates us, that shatters the conventions of habitual codes while maintaining a form that remains both audible and accessible in its writing. To truly enter this world, it is undoubtedly beneficial to be familiar with the artistic journeys of these two musicians, whose respective websites you will find linked below for further exploration. From our perspective, there is no doubt—this album joins the ranks of our “Essentials.”
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, February 24th 2025
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