Performance: Jacques Loussier Trio

Auckland Town Hall

Review: Tara Werner

Bach with attitude. Surely the maestro of counterpoint himself would have thoroughly enjoyed this superbly performed concert of some of his most famous works.

Johann Sebastian may have been thought to be a conservative in his day, but he would have smiled at the innovative improvisations presented by Jacques Loussier and his equally gifted friends.

Back in New Zealand after a 30-year absence Loussier presented a concert that showed that he is better than ever at his jazz interpretations. He may now be the veteran, but in a programme of Bach, Vivaldi, Satie and Ravel this 66-year-old did not miss a beat.

All the Bach selected had as a common element freedom within a disciplined musical structure.

Take the seemingly idiosyncratic interpretation of extracts from the Goldberg Variations.

The aria that opens the work is spread over a 32-measure bass pattern, and that's what the trio stuck to, improvising beautifully during all the chosen variations.

The Pastorale in C minor had a breathtaking solo by bass player Benoit Dunoyer de Segonzac, who launched himself into space with brilliant passages that nonetheless did not lose sight of Bach's rhythmic nuances.

Not to forget Loussier's hallmark versions of the Air on a G String and the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, both even better than his recordings.

Meantime, percussionist Andre Arpino provided an elegant accompaniment. Ironically his total prowess did not manifest itself until the Spring Concerto from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The third movement had a solo that was quite breathtaking in its rhythmic complexity.

Then another contrast: a gentle version of Satie's bitter/sweet Gymnopedie No 1.

Finally, just before embarking on a highly entertaining version of Ravel's Bolero, Loussier mentioned to the audience, "We are only three musicians, but we do the best we can."

What an understatement.