''Many and One Direction'' is a live solo piano album by

Irène Schweizer Irène Schweizer (born 2 June 1941) is a Swiss jazz and free improvising pianist. She was born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. She has performed and recorded numerous solo piano performances as well as performing as part of the Feminist Improvis ...

. It was recorded at Alte Kirche Boswil in Switzerland in April 1996, and was released later that year by

Intakt Records Intakt Records is an independent record label, based in Zürich. History The label was founded in 1986 by Patrik Landolt.Margasak, Peter (September 2013) "Intakt's Landolt Takes Long-Term Approach to Avant-Garde". ''Down Beat''. p. 16. In the ea ...

Reception

In a review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, Steve Loewy wrote: "This solo recording... is a change of pace for Schweizer. The intensity is turned down a notch or two, the emphasis is on sound, color, and structure, but the results are somehow hardly less exciting... her technique is still at the top of her game... and her earlier fans and followers will not be disappointed -- though they may be a touch surprised." The authors of the ''

Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' is a reference work containing an encyclopedic directory of jazz recordings on CD which were (at the time of publication) currently available in Europe or the United States. The first nine editions were compiled by ...

'' awarded the album 3½ stars, and stated: "The title says it all: a critical moment in a career which seems to have combined an eclectic range of ideas with an absolute solidity of purpose. This solo record is beautifully engineered and played with an immaculate touch... this is an immensely strong performance." Writing for ''

All About Jazz ''All About Jazz'' is a website established by Michael Ricci in 1995. A volunteer staff publishes news, album reviews, articles, videos, and listings of concerts and other events having to do with jazz. Ricci maintains a related site, ''Jazz Near ...

'', Glenn Astarita commented: "Here, the critically acclaimed pianist pursues various angles via her noteworthy affinity for rhythmic movement and altogether penetrating execution as each piece is strikingly unique... ''Many and One Direction'' offers the listener a truly rousing glimpse of this remarkable musician. Don't let this one slip by... Highly recommended."

Track listing

Track 6 by

Carla Bley Carla Bley (born Lovella May Borg; May 11, 1936) is an American jazz composer, pianist, organist and bandleader. An important figure in the free jazz movement of the 1960s, she is perhaps best known for her jazz opera '' Escalator over the Hill'' ...

. Track 13 by

Thelonious Monk Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", "B ...

. Remaining tracks by Irène Schweizer. # "Contours" – 4:43 # "Hüben Wie Drüben" – 5:17 # "May Day" – 5:55 # "Jungle Beats" – 5:34 # "Nobile" – 5:00 # "Ictus" – 2:42 # "Last Call" – 2:34 # "Im Zwielicht" – 7:47 # "Sisyphos" – 3:56 # "Saitenpfade" – 3:41 # "Heat Flushes" – 3:52 # "Bleu Fonc" – 3:44 # "Chordially" – 2:15

Personnel

– piano

References

{{Reflist 1996 live albums Intakt Records live albums Irène Schweizer live albums