The Book of Colours Prouet ****

The gifted, much respected German pianist Hubert Nuss salutes the influence of the late Olivier Messaien with an album suffused by the modal and harmonic thought of the great French composer. In a musical response to mostly visual stimuli (painters’ work, stained glass, jewels, stars, even a galaxy), as well as to running water, a mood, or a person, the approach is impressionistic –to capture colours and go with the flow, with any over-riding impulse towards resolution and conclusion subordinate. Making extensive use of Messaien’s signature modes, Nuss and his longtime colleagues – John Goldsby (bass) and John Riley (drums) – create serene, subtly nuanced and unified performances, which, in their yin and yang of restraint and expansiveness, the sensual and the austere, the considered and of the moment, yield more with each hearing. This trio is a bit special. See pirouet.com s