In recent years, the married couple Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi has often performed as a duo on one piano. While that setting shows listeners what four hands can do to a single keyboard, it is naturally a bit limiting, making it difficult for Ms. Trick to stride with her impressive facility and for Alderighi to stretch the music beyond swing. On Broadway And More they again perform as a duo but this time on two pianos. While perhaps less unique, the pianists are also less restrained in this format and can more easily challenge each other.
Alderighi and Trick perform a wide-ranging program that includes Irving Berlin’s “Marie,” “Make Believe,” and “If I Had A Million Dollars” next to the theme from “An Affair To Remember,” “Mr. Sandman,” and even the Beatles’ “Penny Lane.” Rather than revive stride pieces by the likes of James P. Johnson or Fats Waller, the duo, after paying respect to the melodies, turn the standards into stride.
Most intriguing are the witty and creative medleys that they create from the scores of the Broadway shows Call Me Madam, West Side Story, and The Music Man. All in all, this is a delightful outing.
Broadway and More (ATCD 005, 12 selections, TT = 62:53) http://www.paoloandstephanie.com/
